The traditional ‘Wadi’ livelihood model is helping tribal communities in India increase their crop yields and incomes, and ensuring food security.

An article in India Together explains how a Wadi generally comprises 2 or more crops interspersed with fruit trees such as cashews, mangoes and litchis.

Through the Wadi project – supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) – tribal farmers are implementing measures to conserve water and soil, such as earth bunds, wells and dams. They are fencing trees off from livestock and using manure and compost to increase crop yields and ensure healthy soils. Through intercropping, they are ensured of a variety of nutritious foods for their families.

The article explains that the project is also helping to strengthen local communities through the formation of farmer organizations as well as producer companies and micro-enterprises which are of particular benefit to women.

“Wadi not only strengthens the agrarian livelihoods of the tribal households, but also increases food and nutritional security,” says the article.

For communities in the tribal areas of Koraput district of Odisha State, implementing the Wadi model has transformed their lives and seen more youth become interested in remaining in farming.

Previously these communities practiced shifting cultivation of subsistence crops like millet and pulses supplemented by the collection of forest fruits, roots, honey etc. But the over-exploitation of forests in recent decades has reduced the productivity of the land and reduced harvests; forcing many off the land.

“We are happy to see dramatic change in terms of land development, good yield, diverse cropping and orchard plantation in the village, which not only strengthens our livelihood but also provides nutritious foods for our children,” says Danua Jani of Bonasil village.

Read the full story: Wadi: A model for sustainable tribal livelihood