Bhubaneswar: Odisha cabinet on Saturday approved Mukhya Mantri Janajati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM) 2.0, the second phase of the state’s flagship tribal livelihood programme. The scheme aims to benefit eight lakh tribal households, including all Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) families, over the next five years.Building on the first phase of the MMJJM, currently being implemented in 13 districts and covering around 1.5 lakh tribal households, the revamped programme seeks to expand livelihood opportunities to 19 districts, including 134 Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Micro Project Area blocks and 23 Integrated Tribal Development Agencies.Chief secretary Anu Garg said MMJJM 2.0 will be implemented from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs 2,995 crore, fully funded by the state govt. The mission aims to improve the income and overall well-being of tribal families through farm, off-farm and non-farm livelihood interventions, including agriculture, horticulture, livestock rearing, fisheries, sericulture, forest-based enterprises, non-timber forest produce value chains, traditional arts and crafts, handloom, handicrafts and rural entrepreneurship. It will focus on strengthening community institutions, promoting entrepreneurship, facilitating value addition and market linkages, and creating critical livelihood-support infrastructure.A key feature of the MMJJM 2.0 is its beneficiary-centric approach. Eligible households will be able to choose livelihood activities based on local opportunities, available resources and their interests. Financial assistance of Rs 30,000 per household, disbursed in two instalments, will be transferred directly to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism.It will also facilitate the creation of common facilities, post-harvest infrastructure, storage, processing and marketing systems to strengthen the livelihood ecosystem in tribal areas.
