Training needs on climate resilient farm technologies for improving the livelihood and nutritional security of farming community in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu

S. Kathiresan; T. Raj Pravin

doi:10.46947/joaasr322021144

Authors

S. Kathiresan Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar – 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
T. Raj Pravin Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar – 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46947/joaasr322021144

Keywords:

Training need, New extension model and Nutritional security

Abstract

Farming remains as a risky profession in drought prone areas as a result of many climate change
issues affecting the lives and livelihoods of many farm families. The periodical and sudden occurrence
of natural vagaries in the past few years has become a new normal, resulting in the farming
communities suffering huge productivity losses in farming and allied sectors. Over a period of time
with their resultant farming experience over years, our farming community has diversified their farm
related production activities. No longer they are entirely dependent on farming for their livelihood
needs but derive more economic and nutritional gains from allied sectors. On the other hand, they also
adopt modern and indigenous climate resilient farm technologies to mitigate climate change issues as
a part of their farming activities. However, over a period of time they need to be trained on many
climate resilient farm technologies to improve their farm yields, reduce losses and achieve sustainable
farm production. Keeping this in view, a study was undertaken in Erumapatty block to study the
training needs of farmers on Climate resilient farm technologies for improving the livelihood and
nutritional security of farming community in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. About 120 farm
respondents were selected for this study where National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture
(NICRA) scheme was launched in different modules. Training needs related to Capacity building and
blending of local resources, Creation of water harvesting structures and New irrigation management
practices for taking up mitigation measures was assessed as a part of this study. This identified training
needs coupled with developing a new extension model for addressing climate change issues in
Namakkal district as a part of this study is sure to address many climate change related issues affecting
our farmers. It will also assist us in improving the livelihood and nutritional security of our farming
community in the near future.