Build Resilient Livelihoods

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)