The Indian Wadi System: Farming with Trees for a Better Future

Wadi- A Traditional tree-based farming Practice to Promote Agroforestry

The Wadi system is a traditional way of farming in India that combines growing trees with other crops. Think of it as a special kind of tree-based farming (agroforestry) designed to help farmers, especially in tough conditions.

A 'Wadi plot' is essentially a small, family-owned farm (often about 1 acre) that's set up to grow a mix of:

• Fruit trees: These are chosen because they can still give good returns even when conditions are difficult, like during droughts.

• Regular crops: Farmers plant these in the spaces between the fruit trees. This provides income from the very first year!

• Forestry trees: These are planted around the edges, creating a natural fence or providing wood for fuel or timber.

The Wadi system also includes ways to save soil and water. Sometimes, a ditch (cattle protection trench) is dug around the farm to keep animals out and also to collect rainwater.

Why is the Wadi system so good?

It's an all-in-one approach that helps farmers in many ways:

• More Money: Farmers get income from both fruit trees and seasonal crops, improving their financial security. There are also opportunities to process and sell their produce, creating more jobs and reducing the need for people to leave their villages to find work.

• Better Land and Water: By planting trees and using smart techniques, the Wadi system helps protect the land from erosion and conserves precious water.

• Stronger Communities: It promotes sustainable farming practices and helps empower farming communities.

In short, the Wadi system is a traditional yet powerful way to combine farming, fruit growing, and forestry to create a more stable income for small farmers, protect our natural resources, and build stronger communities.

Steps in Building Wadi Plot- Selection of site:

1. a)  Places with good drainage

2. b)  Site has a sloping aspect

3. c)  The site must not be very close to the road

Important points to be kept in mind while building a Wadi plot:

1. a)  Species –wise distance between the plants (most popular being 5 X 5 meters)

2. b)  Adequate space is there to go for inter-cultivation of remunerative crops like vegetables

3. c)  Maintaining suitable distance between the fence and the plants

4. d)  Region specific selection of manure and soil layers, and

5. e)  Suitable arrangement for protection of planted material

6. f)  Cooperative Model, Farmer’s cooperative is ideally suited for effective implementation of Wadi model