The WADI project started in March 2021 in collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to develop community independence and resilience in isolated tribal areas for 500 beneficiaries from tribal communities in Odisha, India.
Throughout India, indigenous peoples live disconnected from mainstream culture and survive through traditional ways. However, due to environmental destruction, many now face serious issues such as endemic poverty and lack of essential resources—even food and water.
Women and girls are usually the ones to suffer the most.
Through the WADI project, we work with farmers and landless people of tribal communities in the Hindol Block of Dhenkanal District, Odisha. The core approach focuses on strengthening sustainable income generation by transforming small underutilized plots and wastelands into productive landscapes through agri-horti-forestry. This involves a strategic combination of fruit cultivation, forestry, and agricultural interventions. Additionally, cutting-edge technologies are leveraged to address complex challenges, such as human-elephant conflicts. One such innovation is the AMRITA Elephant Watch: AI-Enhanced Early Alert System, designed to provide timely warnings and mitigate conflicts effectively.
Across six villages, seven cooperative community groups have been established. The leaders are provided with capacity-building training and then manage all the field activities like plantation, pit digging, care of the saplings, water resource development structures, etc.
They then independently keep track of all activities conducted and process the relevant payment for the services rendered by the beneficiaries of the project, thereby building communal ownership over the process of plant care.
We also prioritize income generation through goat rearing, an initiative currently being implemented in 12 villages, benefiting 288 women. To date, we have successfully constructed three goat sheds, and goats will be provided during the appropriate season to minimize mortality rates.
9 villages in Hindol block of Dhenkanal District, Odisha, India
Additional intended benefits include soil conservation, water resource development, training & capacity building, women’s capacity building, improved health & sanitation, and institutional building for farmers.
The WADI project, launched by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in 2021, is a six-year initiative.
