Climate change adaptation and resilience skill building among small and marginal tribal farmers of Latehar district of Jharkhand

Small and marginal farmers of the Latehar district of Jharkhand are bearing the brunt of climate change-induced events. Agriculture, which is the primary and traditional occupation of the people, has taken a setback due to the production lapses caused by the unfavourable climatic conditions. The gradual trend of the use of chemical-based farm inputs like pesticides and fertilizers has not only made the soil less fertile but has also increased the cost of production. The absence of adequate water harvesting structures has resulted in less water availability for protective irrigation during Kharif and assured irrigation during Rabi and summer season. The inability to diversify the risk through non-engagement in additional livelihood activities has caused the farmers to be even more vulnerable to climate change. The increasing risk with agriculture and limited earnings had forced the farmers to migrate to cities, for performing menial low wage labour work. But the recent spread of the COVID 19 pandemic and resulting scenarios have resulted in the trend of reverse migration, causing a reduction in the income source of the family. Thus, in this scenario, tribal farmers of the region are in a vulnerable position and require urgent intervention for the development of community-owned livelihood models.

Owing to the urgency in making the farmers resilient and adaptable to climate change, this project will promote innovative practices for the management of natural resources and livelihood development. Climate-smart agriculture will be promoted so that climate-resilient methods are re-introduced in our agrarian culture. Interventions will be made for organic nourishment of the soil, pest management, diverse cropping and agronomic practices. Multiple and alternative livelihood options, including animal husbandry, fisheries, NTFP value addition etc, will be promoted. Planning for water resource augmentation will be done through participatory plans for crop security. These plans will be approved by the Gram Sabha and advocacy will be done for the implementation of selected schemes from various government line departments. Apart from water resource development, the focus will also be done for the management of water resources through community planning and control. Also, clean energy based on solar will be promoted for irrigation purposes. Farmer’s group will be formed for the purpose of forward, backward linkages and value addition of their produce. Collective aggregation, marketing and sales of the product will help the farmers to get the right price for their produce. Additionally, income-generating innovative entrepreneurial models will be created, nurtured and sustained through this project.

This project will improve the climate change adaptability skills of the farmers, leading to an increase in income by 20%. Various practices under climate-smart agriculture will be adopted by the farmers. This will not only lead to increase in the productivity of land but will also reduce the input cost in farming; thus increasing the profit level. Also, the promotion of Nutri-dense crops like millets and vegetables will result in improvement in nutrition levels, especially among anaemic women and malnourished children. The adaptation of multiple allied activities will provide an additional income for the farmers, thus covering the risk farmers in case of adverse climatic conditions. The prepared village development micro-plans will become a document that will be referred by village leaders for future course of action. Water user groups will manage the water resource in a sustainable, efficient and equitable manner, thus providing a model for the much-debated global water issue. Farmer’s group or institution will act as a platform for the provision of value-added support services. An innovative and effective entrepreneurial livelihood model will be generated. Overall, this project will generate sufficient concept of proof for policy advocacy, replication and upscale the regime of climate change adaptation.