What is the best use for wasteland with little water in tropics?

Question

I am planning to buy a wasteland measuring 5-10 acres in India without a lot of water. I plan to save water using rainwater harvesting and hoping that I run into some groundwater. This land has no irrigation facility.What would be the most efficient use of something like this ? I am planning to start a small library/ school for impoverished tribals but I was wondering if there is any way a land like this can be made self sustaining using new technological or other solutions that I may not be aware of.I always ask myself questions like:What is the best way to convert sunlight & water to biomass ?How to utilize solar energy locally ?How much water can I reuse ?The idea is to show that something sustainable can be done with right approach and hopefully support at least 4-5 poor people and more others (via education).

brudgers · Accepted Answer

Ask the people who live there...because if they live there, they have figured out how to live on the land with the resources at hand.
Because they are people, they are as smart as people elsewhere.
And because they live there they have a motivation toward practical approaches over theoretical ideologies.
For example, if you "rainwater harvest" then that rainwater isn't available to the neighbors.
Good luck.

mackatsol · Answer

Read up on Permaculture. Have a look at Geoff Lawton&rsquo;s work in &lsquo;Greening the Desert&rsquo; for inspiration.https://permies.com/wiki/2584/Greening-Desert-updates-Geoff-...