| AGRI-HORTI-FORESTRY FOR TRIBAL REHABILITATION (WADI) |
Promotion of tree based farming on private wastelands for food security and income generation is a major programme of BAIF. With the denudation of forests, tribals, representing 10% of Indian population, have been deprived of their livelihood. The poor families participating in this programme popularly known as Wadi (Orchard Development), establish drought tolerant fruit crops such as mango, cashew, Indian gooseberry, tamarind, custard apple, ber, etc. on their marginal or wastelands covering 0.4 to 1.0 ha. The interspace is used for cultivating arable crops, which they have been growing earlier and the field bunds and borders are used to establish hardy shrubs and trees useful for fodder, fuel, timber and herbal medicines.
Over 0.1 million poor tribal families, who participated in this programme are now earning Rs. 25000-30000 (USD 600) per annum to lead a sustainable livelihood. This programme has ensured women empowerment, food security, healthcare, education for children and prevented migration. It has addressed the twin problems of poverty and environmental degradation and has evolved as a replicable model for conservation of bio-diversity while enhancing rural prosperity. |
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