Build Resilient Livelihoods

The project, called ‘Resilient Livelihoods: From Poverty to Prosperity,’ aims to help 500 farmers and their families in the dry Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu, southern India. It combines ways to improve jobs, strengthen the community and protect the environment. The project uses local knowledge and works with local partners to solve different problems the community faces. It also teaches new skills and helps manage natural resources in a way that will last for the long term.

Now in its second year, this three-year project knows that strong, united communities are important for real and lasting change. The project builds water conservation structures and offers training to help people work together and feel like they are part of a group. It uses the community's knowledge and effort to build things everyone can use. The farmers are also giving money to the project which helps them feel responsible and proud of their work.

Action Village India partners with Association for Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA), to support these communities by implementing water conservation initiatives such as building farm ponds, repairing water channels, installing pipelines for irrigation, as well as improving soil health by checking current status, teaching organic farming methods. Many have also benefited from the introduction of new technologies such as drones to apply fertiliser. Impact of the initiatives can be seen in the photos attached.

The project’s 3-year objective remains as follows: the project aims to implement effective water conservation and management interventions, improve soil health practices, promote sustainable natural resource management, capacity building support within farm communities, and create livelihood opportunities that improve living standards.

• ASSEFA_report_Apr2025Sep2025.pdf (PDF)
  

Climate-Resilient Farming with Marginalised Farmers in Tamil Nadu

With support from Action Village India, ASSEFA is working with 500 farmers and their families in the semi-arid Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu. The project promotes regenerative farming, climate resilience, and diversified livelihoods, ensuring that farmers not only survive but thrive in the face of climate change.

Key Highlights (2024–25)

• Soil health restored: 100 farmers adopted pulse-based crop rotation (black gram after paddy), enriching soil nitrogen and improving productivity.

• Water secured: 1 check dam, 6 gully plugs, 500m of field bunds, 186m of reclaimed water channels, and 2 farm ponds constructed; PVC pipelines installed to reach distant fields.

• Livelihood diversification: 25 women supported to strengthen goat-rearing enterprises, adding resilience to household income.

• Soil health monitoring: 47 farmers received Soil Health Cards; testing underway for 53 more.

• Community-led action: Farmers contributed labour, funds, and local knowledge in planning and constructing water and soil conservation structures.

• Climate awareness: Display boards, farmer training, and local language materials helped spread knowledge on rainfall variability, water-saving, and organic farming.

Impact

• Families are less vulnerable to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures.
• Improved irrigation and water storage ensure crops survive dry spells.
• Women’s goat-rearing provides a safety net in times of crisis.
• Collective ownership of infrastructure and transparent decision-making strengthen local institutions and resilience.

Looking Ahead

This programme continues to build self-reliant, climate-resilient communities by blending traditional knowledge with sustainable farming practices. With farmers at the heart of planning and implementation, the project is showing a path from vulnerability to prosperity in rural Tamil Nadu.

• ASSEFA_Report_202425.pdf (PDF)