Wadi is multi-component programme for improving living standards of poor and marginalised families living in remote, under-developed areas with poor agriculture resources.

Wadi is designed for development of underutilised, degraded landsInitiated by BAIF in tribal areas of South Gujarat in the 1980s, Wadi was consolidated and expanded with support from Government of Gujarat, CAPART, and the German development bank, KfW, through NABARD.

Wadi is today a recognised model of tribal development. BAIF along with its associate organisations have implemented large Wadi programmes in remote areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the benefit of over 125,000 families.

With support from NABARD’s Tribal Development Fund (TDF), and BAIF acting as the resource agency, Wadi-based tribal development projects are being implemented in 22 Indian states, for the benefit of around 1.13 lakh tribal families.

Fruit trees in Wadi plots provide income year after yearWadi is a family-based programme implemented in geographical clusters. The core component is development of agro-horti-forestry in small plots of under-utilised lands. This component is designed to provide long-term and sustainable livelihood support to families owning the plots.

Around the roll-out of this core component, several other components can be implemented, for the benefit of marginalised families, including landless families, to enhance their capacities, create better livelihood options for the rural poor in their own setting, improve their basic health condition, and regenerate their natural environment.

Wadi is built on principles of participatory and environmentally sustainable development, with maximum use of local resources, local technologies and local skills.

Wadi is continually evolving. The programme has seen many changes since it was initiated, and offers scope for modification and innovation.

See also:
FAQ:
What is the meaning of `Wadi’?
How is agro-horti-forestry different from agro-forestry or tree-based farming?
What is the rationale for agro-horti-forestry?
Is Wadi suitable only for tribal areas?
How is Wadi different from government programmes such as MREGS?