Trade
Collection of Tendu Leaves is done by the Primary Co-operative Societies of actual pluckers of Tendu Leaves.
Functional Structure of MFP Trade
Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce
(Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Ltd. is the apex
organization in a three tier structure. In 1988, the Madhya Pradesh Government
decided to totally eliminate the middlemen in collection, storage and trade of
Minor Forest Produce, and authorized the formation of Co-operative Societies of
actual collectors.
To implement this decision, a three tier
Co-operative structure was designed. At the primary level, 1947 Primary Forest
Produce Co-operative Societies were constituted with the membership of only
actual pluckers; the Chairman of the society was chosen from the members only.
Later on, elections were held in all the primary societies. After
reorganisation of the state, there are 1066 Primary Forest Produce Co-operative
Societies in the new state of M.P.
At the secondary level, 44 District Forest
Produce Co-operative Unions were formed under the Chairmanship of the District
Collector. Their number was subsequently increased from time to time. Presently
60 District Unions are functioning. Elections have been held for most of the
District Unions and elected Chairmen are functioning in them.
Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce
Co-operative Federation, which had come into existence in 1984, is at the apex
level of this setup. At present, it also has an elected Board of Directors and
an elected Chairman.
According to the instructions of Madhya Pradesh
Government, by appointing buyers in the tendu leaf-producing areas in advance,
these buyers are being provided with the collected tendu leaves through primary
cooperative societies from the collection centers (Phad). Tendu leaves, which
remained unsold in the advance tender, are being processed through committees
at the departmental level after treatment, transportation, and warehousing.