Documentation of climate smart agriculture technologies in the agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu

Introduction

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, significantly impacting agriculture, ecosystems, and livelihoods, especially in developing countries like India. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2021) [4] , global surface temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1 °C above pre-industrial levels, with projections indicating a rise of 1.5 °C to 2 °C by the mid-21st century. India, being a climate-vulnerable nation, is already experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, erratic monsoons, droughts, and floods, all of which adversely affect agricultural productivity and food security. In this context, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has gained prominence as a strategic approach to transform and reorient agricultural systems under the new realities of climate change. CSA aims to achieve three core objectives: (i) sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes, (ii) build resilience and adaptation to climate change, and (iii) reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, where possible. Technologies such as drought-resistant crop varieties, precision farming, water-saving irrigation techniques (e.g., drip and sprinkler systems), integrated nutrient and pest management, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry are some of the key components of CSA. Tamil Nadu, situated in the southeastern part of India, is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its diverse topography and dependence on monsoon rainfall. The state is divided into seven agro-climatic zones, namely North Eastern Zone, North Western Zone, Western Zone, Cauvery Delta Zone, Southern Zone, High Rainfall Zone and Hilly Zone. Each zone varies significantly in rainfall patterns, soil types, cropping systems, and exposure to climate risks. For instance, the Cauvery Delta Zone, known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, has been facing frequent water scarcity and salinity intrusion, while the Western Zone is increasingly affected by prolonged dry spells. According to the Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change (TNSAPCC, 2021) [11] , agricultural output in the state could decline by 10%-15% over the next two decades if no adaptation measures are adopted. To address these risks, the Government of Tamil Nadu has been actively promoting CSA technologies under schemes such as the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and State Agriculture Extension Programs. Efforts include promotion of micro-irrigation (adopted in over 5.3 lakh hectares as of 2023), System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in paddy cultivation, and introduction of climate-resilient crop varieties in drought-prone areas. This study aims to document and assess the Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies adopted across different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu and analyze zone-specific practices.

Methodology

To evaluate the constraints faced by farmers in the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, an ex-post facto research design was adopted. This design was considered suitable as the variables under investigation had already occurred and were beyond the control or manipulation of the researcher. The study was carried out during the agricultural year 2022-2023, covering all seven agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. From the North Eastern Zone, Villupuram district was selected, while Namakkal district represented the North Western Zone. Coimbatore district was chosen from the Western Zone, and Tiruvarur district was identified as the representative for the Cauvery Delta Zone. For the Southern Zone, Ramanathapuram district was selected, whereas Kanyakumari district was chosen to represent the High Rainfall Zone. Lastly, the Hilly Zone was represented by The Nilgiris district. This selection ensured that each agro-climatic region's unique characteristics and challenges in adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies were adequately captured. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was employed to select respondents. In the first stage, one district was selected from each agro-climatic zone. In the second stage, relevant villages within these districts were identified based on the prevalence of CSA practices. In the final stage, 30 progressive farmers were selected from each district, based on their active engagement in CSA practices and/or participation in the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) initiative. These farmers were considered key informants due to their practical knowledge and hands-on experience with CSA technologies. Altogether, a total of 210 farmers (30 from each of the 7 districts) constituted the sample size for the study. Data were collected through personal interviews using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule, designed to ensure clarity, relevance and reliability of the information obtained.

Results and Discussion

The Climate Smart Agricultural technologies which increase productivity, improve resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emission and mitigate the consequences of climate change were documented through Climate Smart Rural Appraisal technique and Focus Group Discussion. Based on the perceived climate change consequences, the farmers of each agro-climatic zone adopted different climate smart agricultural practices. The documented Climate Smart Agricultural practices are described in the subsequent sections. Adoption of crop intensification practices like intercropping with legumes, multi-tier cropping and crop diversification practices like cultivation of horticultural crops and ornamental crops to ensure assured income in case of crop failure. Adoption of precision based nutrient management practices by analyzing soil health status to improve resilience, utilization of crop insurance to recover insurance for crop loss, adoption of weather based agro-advisories to plan agricultural activities in prior, use of organic manures, fertilizers, green manures and green leaf manures to improve resilience and restore the nutrients of soil, use of biofertilizers and slow releasing nitrogenous fertilizers to improve productivity of the crops. Fodder management and farm diversification practices were adopted by the farmers to improve the farm productivity and ensure assured irrigation. The findings are in line with the studies of Udmale et al., (2014) [12] , Varadan and Kumar (2014) [13] , Jasna (2015) [6] , Prabhavati (2016) [10] , Gopal (2017) [3] and Murthy (2019) [8] .

CSA technologies in North Eastern

Conclusion

The present study systematically documented the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies adopted across the diverse agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu, providing a comprehensive understanding of region-specific responses to climate change.

The findings highlight that farmers, despite facing distinct climatic challenges such as drought, water scarcity, flooding, and unpredictable rainfall, have adopted a variety of CSA practices tailored to their local agro-ecological conditions. Key interventions included the adoption of improved seed varieties resistant to drought, pests, diseases, and waterlogging; efficient irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation; and water conservation structures such as farm ponds and check dams.

Farmers have also embraced contingency crop planning, crop diversification and intensification, use of organic and biofertilizers, and precision nutrient management practices. Additionally, livestock-based climate adaptation strategies-such as smart livestock housing and feed supplementation-were found to be crucial in some zones.

The study reveals that the adoption of CSA technologies was significantly influenced by access to extension services, participation in programs like NICRA, and localized agroadvisories. Despite the promising practices observed, challenges remain in terms of widespread adoption, awareness dissemination, and infrastructural support. Overall, the documentation underscores the importance of promoting context-specific CSA interventions, strengthening institutional support, and enhancing farmer training and awareness to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in the face of climate variability. These insights are expected to aid policymakers, researchers, and extension agencies in scaling up climate-resilient agricultural practices across Tamil Nadu and similar agro-climatic settings.

References

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