A Horticulture-based Model for the Income Enhancement and Sustainable Livelihoods of Tribal Communities in Dhadgaon Block of Nandurbar District, Maharashtra March 2024 Compiled by 1
Table of Contents Table of Contents Acronyms 01 02 03 04 05 06 2 2 3 About Clnl 3 Empowering self and Communities Genabai’s Determination in Developing WADI 8 Transforming Agriculture Kantabai Valwi’s Agricultural Practices Boosts Income 18 From Scarcity to Sustainability Padwi Family improve their Income and Quality of Life 26 From Hilly Hardship to Agricultural Success How Wadi & Lakhpati Kisan Program Doubled Kidubai’s Income 38 From Fields to Fortune Anita Pawara’s Path to Success 46 A Spark of Transformation How Women Leaders Ignited Rural Prosperity in Mundalwad 52
Acronyms CInI Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives CRP Community Resource Person COVID Coronavirus Disease KVK Krishi Vigyan Kendra NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development VI Village Institution WADI Wasteland Agriculture Development Intervention WUG Water User Group About CInI Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), an Associate organization of the Tata Trust works comprehensively towards livelihood enhancement of tribal communities through sustainable management of natural resources - predominantly the land, water and forest triad. CInI works closely with different stakeholders for Enhancing Tribal Livelihoods through Partnership. 3
Income Enhancement and Sustainable Livelihoods of Tribal Communities in Dhadgaon Block of Nandurbar District Background Dhadgaon, nestled in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, is home to 136,504 residents, predominantly belonging to the Bhil and Pawra Scheduled Tribes, as recorded in the 2011 Census. Majority of the population lives below the poverty line, grappling with the challenges posed by the region’s rugged and hilly terrain, which significantly hampers agricultural activities—the mainstay of their livelihood. In response to these challenges, the Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) embarked on an ambitious endeavour in 2015 with the launch of the ‘Lakhpati Kisan’ project. This initiative targeted select clusters of villages in Dhadgaon, aiming to transform the socio-economic landscape by enhancing livelihood security and improving the quality of life for the tribal households. Building on this momentum, 2017 marked a significant expansion of support when the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) stepped in to introduce the Wasteland Agriculture Development Intervention (WADI). This innovative project aimed at developing one acre of horticulture plantation for each participating family, enriching it with 40 Kesar Mango trees, 40 Guava trees, and 200 Teak trees. Through WADI, 1,000 farmers received the resources and support necessary to cultivate profitable and sustainable agricultural practices, thereby fostering a new era of income enhancement and sustainable livelihoods for Dhadgaon’s tribal communities. 4
Development of WADI As part of the WADI intervention, several key components were implemented to ensure the success and sustainability of the program. The WADI program, often referred to as the orchard program, employs a holistic farming-system approach to transform underutilized wastelands into thriving agricultural assets. This comprehensive approach encompasses Horticulture, Forestry, and the cultivation of Intercrops, which includes both food and cash crops. Additionally, it emphasizes the intensive cultivation of cash crops on designated small plots. By adopting this multi-faceted approach, the program aims to significantly uplift the socio-economic status of impoverished rural families, turning barren landscapes into productive assets through the plantation of fruit and forest trees. These components, tailored to meet the unique needs of the rural locales, included the introduction of advanced agricultural practices and the integration of eco-friendly farming techniques, all designed to foster economic growth and environmental sustainability within these communities. The key components of the WADI intervention have been designed to revitalize underutilized lands and enhance agricultural productivity: Core Elements of the WADI Intervention Strategy 5
• Rehabilitation of Eroded Wasteland: Initiatives focused on soil and water conservation have been designed to restore and improve the fertility of degraded lands, enabling them to support sustainable agricultural practices. • Tree Plantation Initiatives: Planting of fruit-bearing and forestry trees has been designed to diversify the ecological and economic base of the rural landscape. • Introduction of Improved Intercrops: During the initial stages of land development,the cultivation of carefully selected intercrops—both for food consumption and cash generation—has been designed to maximize land use and provide immediate benefits to the community. • Enhancement of Crop Production Techniques: Advanced production techniques and the introduction of superior vegetable varieties have been designed as intercrops to increase yield, improve quality, and ensure food security. 6
Building a Sustainable Future WADI’s Impact on Dhadgaon’s Families and Environment The program has been implemented with the family serving as the primary unit of intervention. The components mentioned above have been crafted based on specific needs and are customized to ensure self-sufficiency within each family. By the fifth year following WADI’s implementation, horticultural and forestry activities, alongside intercropping and the development of water resources, have begun to generate significant income. This revenue stream has enabled rural families to rise above poverty in a sustainable manner. Moreover, the introduction of WADI has played a crucial role in curbing the migration of farming families to urban centres. Beyond economic gains, WADI has also delivered intangible benefits, enhancing family welfare, nutrition, and health across these communities. As such, this project and following case studies showcase the exemplary results achieved due to dovetailing of WADI project with Lakhpati Kisan program of CinI. Also, the case studies illuminate CInI’s innovative approaches, including the empowerment of women, the formation of Village Institutions (VIs), and the deployment of Community Resource Persons (CRPs) to facilitate the implementation of agricultural and water resource management interventions within the targeted region. The documented experiences chronicle the journeys of farmers and women leaders towards achieving new economic heights, serving as a source of inspiration. In a prior phase of the project, plant selection underwent a meticulous optimization process. This process considered suitability for theproject area’s specific ecological conditions, potential for future economic return, and expressed preferences from participating families. During the initial establishment period, supplemental irrigation was implemented throughout the summer months to ensure optimal sapling growth and survival rates. The document curates six inspiring case studies that exemplify the transformative power of the WADI model for participating farmers. While demonstrably increasing income levels, the narratives presented in the document showcase the successful adoption of improved agricultural techniques and practices, promotion of large scale irrigation development, promotion of efficient irrigation technologies and scaling of high value farming even in the face of significant challenges. 7
Case Study 1 Empowering self and Communities Genabai’s Determination in Developing WADI 8
The photograph captures the approach to Genabai’s residence. A narrow lane, approximately one meter in width, serves as the entryway. Custard apple trees line both sides, their branches intertwining to create a natural canopy overhead. A rustic cane fence borders the lane, adding a touch of traditional charm. A Walk Through Hope While walking through the 60-80 metre lane to Genabai’s home, the air is filled with the chirping of various birds, harmonising with the voices of goats and chickens. Once someone crosses that patch and reaches the living premises, the first sight is a small cane storage unit designed for fodder. In the background, there’s a goat shelter made of cane that’s a bit broken, with a roof made of brown-red mud tiles. Around 10-12 goats are inside, hanging out near a big cylindrical block of teak wood. On the other side, various agricultural tools and recyclable waste materials are stored. This goat shelter used to be Genabai’s previous home. Adjacent to the goat shelter, a cement-brick household structure emerges, the newly constructed home of Genabai. 9
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