Tribal development through horticultural plantations under WADI

Originated from a Gujarati word, “Wadi’’ implies a ‘small orchard’ usually covering one or two acres of land, has been initially introduced in the tribal district of ‘Dangs’ in Gujarat as an effective tool for tribal development. This program later on has been experimented and replicated in other part of India dominantly inhabited by tribal population with great degree of success. The Wadi may be of any fruit crop suitable to the area or a combination of these tree crops, with forestry species on the periphery of the land holdings. Two or more tree crops are selected in the Wadi model to minimize biological and marketing risks. As the program progresses with Wadi plantation of horticultural crops1 establishment and income generating activities, to support income generating activities, micro enterprises, water resources development. The main features of a Wadi model are economic betterment of the tribal farmers through sustainable agriculture, social empowerment, improvement in quality of life including health and women empowerment in tribal dominated areas of the country. The broad interventions are in the areas of land use planning, soil and water harvesting measures and improved farming based agro-forestry practices. Therefore, Wadi not only strengthens the agrarian livelihoods of the tribal households, but also increases food and nutritional security.