Impact of Wadi Programme on Rural Household
Ameer
Sah is a poor farmer living with his family in Kota village in Chopan block,
Sonebhadra district. He owns 1 acre of wasteland whereby he sustains his six
family members. Before coming in contact with the Wadi programme officials,
he had
never farmed vegetables and other cash crops. Ameer had always wanted
to earn his livelihood by cultivating his land. This would have enabled him
to live in the village with his family. But he was unable to achieve this as
he neither had the resource nor his land was productive. Being the only
earning member in the large family and unable to meet the family's needs,
including fees for his children's education and care for his ageing parents,
he was forced to migrate to the city in search of work as a daily wage
labourer. He earned a meagre Rs 500-1000 per month there. In the city, apart
from struggling to make ends meet, he fell ill and was forced to return to
his village with little hope of earning enough to support himself and his
family.
On being informed about the Wadi programme, Ameer showed interest. He undertook an exposure trip and underwent several training sessions and orientation programmes on horticulture cultivation and vegetable farming. In 2015 he became the beneficiary of the project. Subsequently, he was successful in establishing his own Wadi. At the beginning of the programme, he was provided with 60 mango and 35 guava saplings for cultivation. Working diligently, Ameer was successful in maintaining an excellent survival ratio in his Wadi. He also adopted intercropping on his farm where he cultivates vegetables such as chilli, lady's finger, brinjal, cauliflower, and turmeric. He now earns Rs 3000-4000 monthly from his 1 acre farm. In 2022, during the guava season, he was able to sell 10000 guavas.
Progressively, Ameer has been able to support
his family and meet the education expenses of his children. Being part of
the Wadi programme has helped him to secure his family’s livelihood.
Rishabh Singh
rsingh@devalt.org