Making agricultural and rural development climate-resilient is an increasingly urgent challenge. Of crucial importance is ensuring that sustainable rural livelihoods—particularly those of small farmers—are not only protected but strengthened as villages move towards climate resilience.
In this context, the experience of a project being implemented in 50 villages of Jaitpur block in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh is significant. The project, implemented by the voluntary organisation SRIJAN with the support of HDFC Bank’s Parivartan initiative, has adopted a thoughtful approach that combines the strengthening of sustainable livelihoods with the enhancement of climate resilience.
Several of these initiatives can be observed in Sugira village, where 20 small orchards and six multi-layer vegetable gardens using natural farming methods have been supported. Natural farming has also been promoted through several demonstration plots. A strong foundation for these efforts has been created through water conservation works, particularly the construction of water-channel storages. The impact of these initiatives is evident in improved livelihoods for several farmers who are following climate-resilient pathways.
Ashok Kumar Kushwaha and Himlesh are enterprising farmers from Sugira village. While they own five acres of land, they also lease additional land. Of particular note is the progress they have made on nearly one acre devoted to vegetable cultivation. Ashok Kumar reports that his annual income from vegetable sales from this plot has increased from about ₹30,000 to nearly ₹1,50,000 in a relatively short period. This achievement has generated considerable optimism among small farmers and is widely discussed at the local level.
This success is based mainly on the cultivation of three vegetables—cucumbers, radish, and peas—grown in different seasons. In addition, several other vegetables are grown for household consumption in a kitchen garden.
What is especially noteworthy is that this progress has been achieved through natural farming. Earlier, Ashok and Himlesh used bio-fertilisers mainly in the form of cow dung. After engaging with SRIJAN and the Parivartan initiative, they began using bio-fertilisers in a more systematic manner, preparing jeevamrit and ghan jeevamrit. They also received guidance on other aspects of vegetable cultivation, supplementing the traditional knowledge of the Kushwaha community. A major improvement came with the introduction of sprinkler irrigation, with equipment provided by SRIJAN and the Parivartan initiative. Ashok notes that this method saves water, improves soil porosity, and reduces pest damage.
Ashok and Himlesh cultivate a wide diversity of crops and fruits and hope to expand natural farming practices beyond vegetables. They have created a simple shelter on their farm, and several family members were present during the author’s visit. Sugarcane is also grown, and jaggery (gur) was being prepared from sugarcane juice in a large cauldron. This farm family shows strong enthusiasm for innovation and works in creative ways.
For farmers like Ashok, a strong base of water conservation is essential. One effective method has been the construction of standardised storage structures, locally called dohas, in rainwater flow channels. A typical doha is about 20 metres long, three metres wide, and 1.5 to two metres deep. In Sugira village, 16 such dohas were constructed last year, with a total storage capacity of 1,296 cubic metres. These provide irrigation water for about 70 bighas of land belonging to 15 farmers.
At a broader level, these dohas help raise groundwater levels in wells and surrounding land areas. The silt excavated during construction was used to level and stabilise nearby village paths. As local farmer Sunil observed, the path has improved significantly compared to earlier conditions. The silt has also been used to strengthen bunds in nearby fields.
Sunil reported that the dohas have increased his farm production by about 25 per cent, with potential for further gains under ideal conditions. Although torrential rains damaged some structures, planned repairs are expected to enhance their benefits.
Another important contribution of the dohas is that they provide drinking water for farm animals, stray animals, wild animals, and birds. According to Aman, a senior team member of SRIJAN, earlier rainwater would remain only until November, whereas now it is expected to last until April in the dohas.
Improving green and tree cover is a key component of climate resilience. One effective approach being adopted here is based on the Miyawaki model, promoted locally as Tapovan. A typical Tapovan plantation consists of about 1,000 trees grown within a 30×30 metre (900 square metre) area. Although the Tapovan in Sugira village is slightly smaller, it contains around 1,000 trees of about 20 indigenous species, including canopy trees, sub-trees, and shrubs. Planted around ten months ago, the growth has already been encouraging.
The plantation was established with active participation from the village community, which also contributes to its maintenance. It is located near a temple, ensuring regular attention by villagers. Iron fencing has been provided by SRIJAN. Overall, nearly 24,000 trees have been planted under this project so far, with a high survival rate.
Sugira village also has a small agro-tool bank from which farmers can hire implements such as power tillers. These are particularly suitable for small farmers with orchards and multi-layer gardens. Tool banks and solar pumping sets also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Under this project, nearly 20 small farm tool banks have been set up and 14 solar water-lift pumping sets installed across the 50 project villages.
This combination of increased tree cover, improved soil and water conservation, promotion of natural farming, reduced input costs, solar irrigation, and decreased use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides is reducing fossil fuel dependence while enhancing farmers’ climate resilience. Several kitchen gardens have also been promoted, contributing to both climate adaptation and mitigation.
In villages such as Nagara Dang, newly cultivated land has further strengthened sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience. Large areas of land, including patta land, were previously uncultivated. SRIJAN identified the potential for cultivation and undertook land levelling and bund construction. Boulders found on-site were creatively used to prevent erosion. As a result, much of this land is now cultivable. Farmers such as Yogendra Yadav and Raj Bahadur Pathak have benefited significantly. So far, about 49 acres have been reclaimed or improved for around 45 farmers in this village. Across the project area, land improvement work has covered approximately 529 acres.
Several small farmers are also contributing to efforts to expand natural farming. In Rangoliya Khurd village, Shuklal and Hirawati, Dalit farmers, are participating in an experiment comparing crops grown using SRIJAN-recommended natural practices with those cultivated using agro-chemical methods. A visit to their fields showed that the naturally farmed wheat exhibited healthier growth than the neighbouring chemically farmed crop planted at the same time. It is hoped that this demonstration will encourage other farmers to adopt natural farming and help produce better-quality seeds. Both Shuklal and Hirawati are keen to deepen their engagement with natural farming practices.
These initiatives together offer a pathway towards villages with reduced fossil fuel dependence, improved climate resilience, and stronger, more sustainable livelihoods, moving steadily towards the goal of net-zero emissions.
---
The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food, A Day in 2071, Man over Machine, and Planet in Peril
Comments