Executive Summary
Small and marginal farmers constitute nearly 86 percent of India’s farming population and play a critical role in national food security. However, their livelihoods are increasingly threatened by climate change impacts such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, droughts, floods, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest and disease outbreaks. These challenges have resulted in low and unstable farm incomes, food insecurity, and heightened vulnerability among rural households.
This proposal presents a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of small and marginal farmers in climate-vulnerable regions of India. The project will promote climate-resilient farming practices, sustainable natural resource management, diversified livelihoods, access to climate information services, and strong institutional support systems. A special focus will be placed on women farmers and resource-poor households to ensure inclusive and equitable outcomes.
Implemented over a three-year period, the project will directly benefit approximately 7,000 small and marginal farmers across selected districts in India. The expected results include improved crop productivity, reduced climate-related risks, enhanced soil and water conservation, increased household incomes, and strengthened food and nutrition security. The project aligns with India’s national priorities on climate action, sustainable agriculture, and farmer welfare.
Background
Agriculture remains the backbone of rural livelihoods in India, employing nearly half of the workforce and contributing significantly to food security. Small and marginal farmers, who typically cultivate less than two hectares of land, depend largely on rain-fed agriculture and have limited access to modern technologies, finance, and markets. Climate change has intensified existing vulnerabilities, making farming increasingly uncertain and risky.
India has witnessed frequent climate extremes in recent years, including prolonged droughts, unseasonal rainfall, floods, and heatwaves. These events have disrupted cropping cycles, reduced yields, degraded natural resources, and increased indebtedness among farmers. Climate change also threatens water availability, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural sustainability.
The Government of India has introduced several initiatives such as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and Soil Health Card Scheme to promote climate-resilient farming. Despite these efforts, adoption of climate-smart practices among small and marginal farmers remains limited due to capacity gaps, resource constraints, and weak extension services. This project aims to bridge these gaps through community-based, scalable CSA interventions.
Problem Statement
Small and marginal farmers in India face multiple interlinked challenges that limit their ability to adapt to climate change:
- High dependence on monsoon rainfall and increasing climate variability
- Limited adoption of climate-smart and resource-efficient practices
- Declining soil fertility and land degradation
- Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation methods
- Limited access to climate information, extension services, and credit
- Low market access and high post-harvest losses
- Gender inequalities in access to land, inputs, and decision-making
These constraints result in low productivity, income instability, and food insecurity. Women farmers, who contribute significantly to agricultural labor, are particularly affected due to limited access to resources and recognition. Without targeted climate-smart interventions, small and marginal farmers will continue to face increasing livelihood risks and reduced resilience.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To enhance the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of small and marginal farmers in India through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices.
Specific Objectives
- Promote adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices.
- Improve soil health and water-use efficiency in smallholder farming systems.
- Diversify crops and livelihoods to enhance food and income security.
- Strengthen access to climate information, extension services, and markets.
- Empower women farmers and vulnerable groups through inclusive approaches.
Project Methodology
The project will adopt an integrated, participatory, and farmer-centered approach combining climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood diversification.
- Climate-Resilient Crop and Farming Systems
- Promotion of drought-tolerant, flood-tolerant, and short-duration crop varieties
- Adoption of conservation agriculture practices such as minimum tillage, mulching, and crop rotation
- Integrated pest and nutrient management to reduce chemical dependency
- Promotion of mixed farming systems integrating crops, livestock, and trees
- Soil and Water Management
- Soil health improvement through organic manures, composting, and green manuring
- Promotion of micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation
- Rainwater harvesting structures and farm ponds
- Training on efficient water-use practices and moisture conservation
- Climate Information and Advisory Services
- Livelihood Diversification and Market Linkages
- Promotion of high-value crops, kitchen gardens, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture
- Support for allied activities such as poultry, goat rearing, and beekeeping
- Strengthening farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and self-help groups
- Market linkages, value addition, and post-harvest management training
- Gender and Social Inclusion
- Capacity building of women farmers through leadership and skill development
- Access to labor-saving technologies to reduce women’s workload
- Inclusion of marginalized groups in decision-making processes
Implementation Plan
The project will be implemented over three years in selected climate-vulnerable districts across India.
- Phase 1: Inception and Baseline (Months 1–6)
- Phase 2: Implementation and Capacity Building (Months 7–30)
- Establishment of demonstration plots and farmer field schools
- Distribution of climate-resilient seeds, tools, and inputs
- Regular training, exposure visits, and advisory support
- Strengthening market access and institutional linkages
- Phase 3: Consolidation and Sustainability (Months 31–36)
- Integration of CSA practices into local extension systems
- Strengthening community ownership and leadership
- Documentation of best practices and success stories
- Final evaluation and dissemination of results
Monitoring
A robust monitoring framework will ensure effective tracking of progress and outcomes.
- Regular monitoring of CSA adoption and crop performance
- Tracking soil health, water use, and productivity indicators
- Gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis
- Participatory monitoring through farmer groups
Key indicators include:
- Number of farmers adopting climate-smart practices
- Improvement in crop yields and income stability
- Changes in soil health and water-use efficiency
- Participation of women farmers in leadership roles
Evaluation
Evaluation will assess project effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
- Mid-term evaluation to assess progress and implementation challenges
- End-line evaluation comparing baseline and final indicators
- Qualitative assessments through focus group discussions and interviews
- Assessment of scalability and policy relevance
Findings will inform future CSA programming and policy dialogue.
Conclusion
Climate-smart agriculture is essential for safeguarding the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in India under changing climatic conditions. By promoting resilient farming systems, sustainable resource management, and inclusive institutional support, this project addresses both immediate climate risks and long-term development challenges.
The proposed initiative will enhance farmers’ adaptive capacity, improve productivity and incomes, and contribute to national goals on climate action, food security, and rural development. With strong community participation and alignment with government programs, the project offers a scalable and sustainable model for climate-resilient agriculture in India.
