Context: Recently, In the latest set of lockdown relaxations, the Ministry of Home Affairs has added the collection, harvesting and processing of minor forest produce to the list of activities that will be permitted.
Key Points

• The new MHA guidelines have also expanded the types of plantations that will be permitted to resume activities with half their workforce from April 20 onwards.
• Earlier, tea, coffee and rubber plantations were given exemptions from the lockdown.
• Minor forest produce include non-timber items such as bamboo, roots, seeds, fruits, flowers and plants.
• Now, bamboo, cocoa, arecanut, and spices plantations — most of which are clustered in the southern States — will be added to the list, along with their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing.
• A number of people from the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwelling communities depend on the collection and sale of such items for their livelihood. 

Significance of Minor Forest Product

• Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of livelihood for tribals who belong to the poorest of the poor section of society. The importance of MFPs for this section of the society can be gauged from the fact that majority of 100 million tribals depend on MFPs for food, fodder, shelter, medicines and cash income.
• It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal groups such as hunter gatherers, and the landless.
• Tribals derive 20-40% of their annual income from MFP on which they spend major portion of their time.
• This activity has strong linkage to women’s financial empowerment as most of the MFPs are collected and used / sold by women.
• MFP sector has the potential to create about 10 million workdays jobs annually in the country.