Capacity Building in Value Addition for Tribal Women through TSP

Abstract

The study emphasizes value-addition activities such as processing, packaging, branding, and marketing of
agricultural products, which hold the potential to transform raw farm produce into profitable, market-oriented
goods. Data were collected from 500 tribal women across the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand
through structured interviews and pre–post knowledge assessments during ten value addition–based training
programmes. Findings revealed a remarkable improvement in awareness and knowledge levels as a result
of TSP interventions. Pre-training knowledge across various topics ranged from only 11–15 percent, which
significantly increased to 90–94 percent post-training, indicating an average knowledge gain of 79 percent.
Skills in mushroom processing, organic jaggery and honey products, milk value addition, bakery items, and
spices improved substantially, supported by hands-on demonstrations and participatory learning methods.
These trainings not only enhanced technical competencies but also strengthened entrepreneurial attitudes,
with many women expressing confidence in initiating micro-enterprises. Approximately 75 percent of
participants showed improved educational engagement, 65 percent adopted improved value-addition
practices, and 58 percent reported increased income through new livelihood activities. The study concludes
that the training organized under Tribal Sub Plan has been highly effective in integrating education with
livelihood security by linking traditional knowledge systems to modern techniques of value addition. The
programme significantly contributed to capacity building, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of
grassroots entrepreneurship.