NABARD to take up Wadi projects in north east

Imphal, Dec 06: The National Bank for Agriculture and RuralDevelopment (NABARD) has decided to take up Wadi project in the northeastern states of India.

Wadi is a successful programme of NABARD implemented sucessfullytwo decades ago to help the tribals earn their livelihood, DGM ofNABARD Sonamani Yambem told UNI today.

Work had already started in Manipur and Meghalaya to set up Wadiin all the north eastern states, he said. Two projects would be takenup at Mizoram.

He said the tribals had a tendency to move from one place toanother and to help them earn their livelihood in a particular placethe NABARD had decided to help the tribals by planting fruit bearingtrees.

One such project was taken up at Noney at Tamenglong district ofManipur, considered to be one of the most backward district. TheManipur Tribals Pioneer Association is the implementing agency.

Sonamani said about Rs 1.5 crores grant would be provided and theNABARD officials were monitoring the developments almost every month asit involved trees. About 125 families were involved in the first phaseand another 125 would be selected next year, he added.

The NABARD will assist the tribal villagers for the next eightyears until the trees blossomed and started giving fruits. Then for thenext 50 years the tribals will be benefited, he added.

Mini projects for about 300 farmers would be taken up at Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, he stated.

UNI