Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Saturday approved the second phase of the Mukhya Mantri Janajati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM 2.0), a ₹2,995-crore programme aimed at improving livelihoods and income opportunities for eight lakh tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households across the state over the next five years.
The flagship initiative of the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department will be implemented from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with full financial support from the state government. The programme will be expanded to 19 districts, covering 134 Tribal Sub-Plan and Micro Project Area blocks, 23 Integrated Tribal Development Agencies and 20 Micro Project Areas.
MMJJM 2.0 builds on the first phase of the mission, which is currently being implemented in 13 districts and benefits around 1.5 lakh tribal households. The new phase aims to substantially widen its reach by including all PVTG households in the state while strengthening livelihood opportunities in both farm and non-farm sectors.
Under the programme, eligible households will receive financial assistance of ₹30,000 in two instalments through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Beneficiaries will be free to select livelihood activities suited to local resources, market demand and their own interests, enabling a more flexible and need-based approach.
The mission will support activities such as agriculture, horticulture, livestock rearing, fisheries, sericulture, forest-based livelihoods, value addition of Non-Timber Forest Produce, handloom, handicrafts, traditional arts and rural entrepreneurship. It also envisages investment in irrigation facilities, storage, processing, post-harvest infrastructure and marketing networks to strengthen the rural livelihood ecosystem.
The Cabinet also approved special interventions for PVTG communities, including nutritional support for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, along with crèche facilities in PVTG habitations. A dedicated Flexi Fund of ₹500 crore has been earmarked to address critical infrastructure gaps in PVTG settlements through a bottom-up planning process.
According to the government, MMJJM 2.0 is expected to improve household incomes, encourage scientific farming practices, strengthen community institutions and promote sustainable and inclusive economic development in Odisha’s tribal regions.
