Ukhrul: Cabinet Minister Khashim Vashum launched Tribal Development Fund (TDF) – WADI II project as chief guest in the presence of Khrishna Kumar, DC Ukhrul and Khai Siamlal Guite, DGM, NABARD Manipur, Regional Office Imphal as functional president and guest of honour respectively at Halang village.
The project aims at enhancing the livelihood scenario of 200 tribal families through enhancing income opportunity by providing WADI (Small orchard) along with conservation measures for soil, moisture and water.
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The proposed WADI project will cover 200 acres of land in villages of Peh, Halang, Halang ato Tang, Ngainga and Pharung. The implementation of core activity namely WADI development shall be confined to two batches of 100 acres each. The project would be for a period of 6 years.
The project is funded by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Manipur and implemented by Ukhrul District Community Resource Development Society (UDCRMS), Ukhrul.
Introduced and welcomed the dignitaries by Lily Rose Jajo, District Project Director, Ukhrul and Chandel districts, the programme was held on Saturday at Halang village.
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A combination of Kiwi (allison, monty and tomuri varieties) and famed Kachai lemon with border species, nongmangkha (phlogacanthus thyrsiformis) on the periphery of the land holdings will constitute a WADI.
Each WADI model consisting of 1 acre will be developed comprising of 0.25 acre Kiwi and 0.75 acre Lemon crop accommodating 24 Kiwis and 60 lemon plants respectively.
Total project cost works out to Rs.1.56 crores including Rs.0.26 crores contribution from the community members. Rs.1.29 crores of grant assistance has been requested from the Tribal Development Fund (TDF).
Development of farm ponds through jalkunds will be constructed wherever feasible.
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Apart from developing the WADI, other development interventions in the areas of soil conservation, water resource development, agriculture development, women empowerment has been proposed.
Timely training and capacity building of all stake holders would also be provided to the farmers.
Credit Linkage with local banks like MSCB and PNB will start from 2nd year onwards.
There would be perceptible increase in employment generation by developing WADI by way of on-farm operations, harvesting, loading, packing, transporting, unloading, distribution and marketing.