Call
of the wild
SK
Mitra and GS Sohani spotlight the Wadiprogramme that ushers a new
hope for tribal communities by providing a sustainable livelihood
and better quality of life
Wadi
is not all about planting trees and harvesting fruits by people. It
is more about planting hopes in the minds of people and harvesting
all round prosperity’. A unique Adivasi (local term for tribals) Development
Programme is under implementation since 1995 in Dharampur and Kaprada
talukas of Valsad district in Gujarat. BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries
Foundation Development and Research Foundation) is the main programme-implementing
agency, which facilitates and executes the entire process of implementation
with people’s participation.
Under
the bilateral cooperation between the Government of Germany and the
Government of India, the Development Bank of Germany has committed
funding support by way of grants for a period of 10 years with effect
from 1994-95 (Rs 550 million). Nabard, as the project holder on behalf
of the Government of India, channelises the fund for the programme,
monitors the project implementation and provides steering and policy
support.
The
programme objectives include:
- Support
for at least 10,000 tribal families (8000 land holders + 2000 landless)
through sustainable agri-horti-silvicultural production
-
Crossing the poverty line over a period of 11 years. [The unit of
agri-silvicultural plot / orchard owned by the tribal family is
locally called as Wadi and thus the programme is commonly known
as the ‘Wadi Programme’]
-
Demonstrating the potential of tribal people to take charge of different
stages of commodity processing in a decentralised way through appropriate
people’s organisations. [Processed agricultural commodities under
the Wadi programme are ‘Mango’ and ‘Cashew’ for making different
types of pickles, pulp and salted cashewnuts, among others]
ASSESSING
PROGRAMME SETTING
The tribal situation is characterised by subsistence agriculture,
degradation of natural resources, deterioration of traditional resource
base, poor health and non-accessibility of services. Thus most of
them prefer to migrate to neighbouring cities for earning their livelihood.
The migration for survival creates a crisis of confidence in themselves
and the development programme. This further leads to a lack of clarity
for future direction.
REHABILITATION
AGENDA
To
encourage the development of tribals in the country, what needs to
be done is to grant remunerative self-employment to prevent migration,
develop sustainable livelihood opportunities and improve the overall
quality of life. The tribal rehabilitation approach should holistically
include everything from rehabilitation in their own environment, people’s
participation starting with programme development, application of
science and technology, to a demystified focus on livelihood and quality
of life.
PROGRAMME
CRYSTALLISATION
| WADI, A UNIQUE
ADIVASI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS UNDER IMPLEMENTATION IN DHARAMPUR
AND KAPRADA TALUKAS OF GUJARAT. BAIF DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH
FOUNDATION IS THE MAIN PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTING AGENCY |
The
core Wadi concept of agri-horti-forestry (40 cashew plants + 20 mango
plants in 1 acre with 600/1,000 forestry plants in the periphery)
enables soil conservation, water resource development, improved farming
and community health.
The
expanded concept and other interventions include integrated measures
such as income generation activities through the formation of women’s
self-help groups, availability of micro finance, establishment of
village institutions, people’s institutions and processing facilities
made available through cooperatives.
INNOVATIVE
EDGE
Various
activities have been initiated that have made a significant improvement
at different levels. The programme level includes holistic central
core concept, tailor-made components such as homestead activities,
service enterprises, women’s savings and credit groups and flexibility
to define and refine the programme. It also takes into account remunerative
professions linked to natural resources, valueaddition valueaddition
to the produce and organised efforts in providing adequate market
linkages. The community empowerment level consists of building upon
traditional practices.
For
instance, Wavli – the unique tribal tradition that gives a woman the
sovereign right over her earnings – is woven in to the concept of
women credit groups. The level also includes the transfer of new knowledge
skills and cadre of ‘barefoot technicians’ involved in agric-horticulture,
soil and water conservation, rural engineering skills, masonry, carpentry,
community health and book keeping.
The
leadership development through village level institutions is another
feature of this level. Lastly, the implementation level includes production
by the masses and community-based financial management.
INSTITUTIONAL
SYSTEMS
The essence of the programme entails promoting people’s institutions
through self-help groups such as Gram Vikas Mandals, Ayojan Samiti
and cooperatives. The process is further strengthened through transparency
and capacity building through interactions between people’s institutions.
RIVETING
INSIGHTS
Wadi is a major programme that engenders socioeconomic rehabilitation
of the tribals and other backward sections of the society. It demonstrates
ecological restoration with poverty eradication and..
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