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)