WADI project is a NABARD funded Tribal Development Programme (TDP) which aims at promoting sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities and enhancing their income security . “Wadi” means a ‘small orchard’ covering one or two acres. This is a five year project intended to promote orchard development among the tribal communities. It is envisaged as family centric agriculture where the emphasis is on small land holdings (1-2 acres), agro biodiversity and greater participation of women. This holds relevance in the wake of United Nations’ observing 2014 as the ‘International Year of Family Farming.’
Project Location
Cheeyambam Tribal Colony in Poothadi Panchayat, Panamaram Block. Poothadi Grama Panchayath lies on the North Eastern part of Wayanad district. Politically Poothadi Grama Panchayath comes under Panamaram Block Panchyath. Geographically it falls under the classification of highland category and is located at an altitude between 720 to 940 mtr. The geographical extent of the GP is 82.88 sqkm. The GP is bounded on the North by Pulpally GP, South Meenangadi GP, West Kaniyambetta and East S.Bathery GP.
There are 302 households in the project area. They include 159 Kattunaika families, 135 Paniya families, and 8 Kuruma families. Total Population is 1011 in which 543 people belong to Kattunaika community and 439 people to Paniya community and 29 people to Kuruma community.
Total female population of the project location is 521.(Kattunaika 275, Paniya 231, Kuruma 15).Total Male population is 490(Kattunaika 268, Paniya 208 , Kuruma 14).
Project intervention components
Horticulture, soil conservation and water resource development Nine varieties of plant seedlings for orchard development have been included under horticulture. Pepper, Coffee, Arecanut, Coconut, Nutmeg, Garcinia, Gooseberry, Rambuttan, Mango are the selected crops. Organic manure was supplied to promote organic farming practices. Families have been selected for farm development on the basis of landholding. All families are provided with Agri-tool kits (4 items).Construction of Ponds, and renovation of existing water sources are major water resource development activities. Rain water pits, earthen bunds and recharging pits have been included for soil conservation activities.
Livelihood grant with loan( 90% grant+10% loan)& 100% loan with 6% interest
Dairy units including cowshed ( 40 Nos) and goatery units (25 units with four goats per unit) and goat shed have been allocated to 65 families who possess less land. Seven families have been selected for 100% loan with 6% interest towards livelihoods through livestock development
Training and awareness programmes
wadi meetingMany trainings and awareness generation activities on various topics such as crop management ,livestock management, nutrition and health awareness , women health development , legal literacy, leadership development , health and hygiene, women rights along with medical camps are being conducted as part of the project.
Processing and marketing activities
Processing of orchard products and its possible value addition and marketing are included in the project as one of the components.
Processes and strategies for implementation
Specific groups such as family cluster groups, women groups and registered Village Planning Committee (VPC) under society’s registration with 13 members for ensuring participation have been formed to facilitate transparent decision making with the active involvement of beneficiaries. Planning, implementation and regular monitoring are going on with the leadership of VPC. A purchase committee of beneficiaries along with MSSRF project staff has also been formed. The mode of implementation is collaborative and through partnership building with all relevant departments and expert institutions and committed individuals