Empowering the Onge Tribe: Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Launched in Little Andaman

In a major step toward self-sustainability and tribal empowerment, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration set up a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) for the Onge tribe at Dugong Creek, Little Andaman. This initiative, launched under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan, focused on turning traditional knowledge into sustainable livelihoods through coconut-based products like virgin coconut oil and premium copra.

Home to just 140 people, the Onge community-classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, received extensive training in coconut processing, oil extraction, and handling of specialised machinery. The VDVK provided essential toolkits and installed state-of-the-art cold-press equipment to ensure high-quality output while preserving the tribe’s traditional integrity and environment.

Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the VDVK was supported by a collaborative effort involving the Directorate of Tribal Welfare (nodal agency), Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (State Implementation Agency), and the Directorate of Rural Development (training partner).

Adding to the momentum, nine Onge students passed the CBSE Class 10 exams for the first time, marking a historic educational milestone for the community. This initiative not only elevated economic opportunities but also reflected the administration’s commitment to the long-term welfare and dignity of tribal communities.

The Onge Van Dhan Vikas Kendra addresses the challenge of translating traditional knowledge into sustainable livelihoods for particularly vulnerable tribal groups. The virgin coconut oil and premium copra product architecture captures value-addition opportunity that raw-copra sales miss; cold-press equipment supports quality differentiation for premium-market positioning.

The multi-agency collaboration structure (Directorate of Tribal Welfare, Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti, Directorate of Rural Development) plus complementary education outcomes (9 CBSE Class 10 passes as historic first) reflects the integrated development approach that PVTG welfare requires. Livelihood and education programmes reinforce each other over generational timeframes.

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