Sustainable livelihoods. Stronger women. Greener communities.
The WADI Project, implemented by Amrita's Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE), strengthens community independence and resilience, especially among rural women in isolated tribal areas.
Through agri-horti-forestry, water resource development, sustainable agriculture and livestock-based livelihoods, the initiative supports tribal farmers and landless families in Hindol Block, Dhenkanal District, Odisha.
Supporting tribal farmers and landless households.
Encouraging women's participation in farming and decisions.
Orchards, forestry, intercropping and soil conservation.
Water access, livelihood security and collective ownership.
Indigenous communities across India maintain traditional ways of life, yet environmental destruction and limited access to essential resources can deepen poverty and food and water insecurity.
The WADI Project works with farmers and landless people in tribal villages of Hindol Block, Dhenkanal District. It focuses on developing underutilised plots and wastelands through a combination of fruit trees, forestry and agricultural interventions, alongside appropriate technologies.
Across six villages, seven cooperative community groups have been established. Their leaders receive capacity-building training and coordinate plantation, pit digging, sapling care and water-resource development. The groups also track activities and process payments for services delivered, strengthening local ownership.
Developing orchards and productive land through integrated farming.
Solar-powered borewells, dug wells and improved irrigation access.
Additional income opportunities for landless women.
Village Utility Services support local planning and management.
Building sustainable livelihoods through farming, water access, women's empowerment, local capacity and digital monitoring.
The project covers 257 tribal farmers—163 in existing wadis and 94 in new wadis—across 212.1 acres in Asanbania, Bramhaniapal, Gobardhanpur, Kanka, Kharmul and Tantichira. Village orchards are managed through their respective UVSs, with women, youth and lead farmers represented on committees.
Six solar-powered borewells were installed. Dug wells were constructed and broken water-lifting systems repaired. Local youth were trained to maintain these facilities, helping improve access to irrigation water.
More than 44 acres support vegetables, pulses, turmeric, ginger and chillies. The first cowpea and bitter gourd harvests were sold in 2025, creating income before fruit trees begin bearing and improving household food availability.
Goat Rearing Groups operate across 12 villages, with 288 women beneficiaries in the programme. So far, 130 women have received goats and 30 goat shelters have been built with NABARD support. Veterinary services support vaccination against PPR.
Farmers visited the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES), Bhubaneswar, to learn about grafting, intercropping and drip irrigation. Training also covers mulching, vermicomposting and soil-moisture conservation. A dragon fruit pilot has begun.
Each wadi is geo-tagged and monitored monthly using the AMMACHI Labs mobile app. The system tracks plant health and irrigation needs, supporting timely field-level interventions.
In August 2025, NABARD requested the project's goat-rearing implementation strategy as a potential model for partner institutions across India.
On World Environment Day, 5 June 2024, women participated in mango sapling planting, contributing to greener landscapes and strengthening community stewardship of the environment.
By combining sustainable agriculture, reliable water resources, women's livelihood opportunities, practical training and digital monitoring, the WADI Project aims to build local capacity and strengthen community independence for the long term.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The initiative also works with CHES, the Veterinary Department, Hindol, and relevant government line departments to support sustainable rural livelihoods.
Community action, sustainable farming and rural empowerment in Odisha.
Advancing sustainable livelihoods, women's empowerment, climate resilience and inclusive rural development.
End poverty in all its forms
Promoting varied, year-round income through orchards, intercrops and goat rearing to strengthen rural livelihoods.
Income GenerationImprove nutrition and food security
Encouraging household fruit and vegetable cultivation to improve access to nutritious, locally grown food.
Food & NutritionEmpower women and girls
Supporting 130 landless women through goat rearing and strengthening women's participation in Village Utility Services (UVSs).
Women's EmpowermentAccess to sustainable energy
Integrating solar-powered irrigation to support energy-efficient farming and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
Solar IrrigationCreate sustainable livelihoods
Creating livelihood opportunities and supporting economic growth through farm-based activities, livestock rearing and diversified rural enterprises.
Rural LivelihoodsBuild climate resilience
Promoting tree cover, soil-moisture conservation and climate-resilient farming practices to help communities adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Climate ResilienceRestore terrestrial ecosystems
Restoring degraded land through orchard development, agroforestry and increased tree cover to support healthier terrestrial ecosystems.
Land RestorationStrengthen collaborative action
Building partnerships with NABARD, CHES and government line departments to strengthen implementation and advance sustainable rural development.
Strategic PartnershipsKey information about the WADI Project, its leadership and funding.
March 1, 2022
Project commencement date.
Rao R. Bhavani
Project leadership
Joost Monks — NORRAG
Peliwe Lolwana — University of Witwatersrand
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
