Agriculture and Climate Change

1. Agriculture and Climate Change -

Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is already disrupting rural livelihoods in India. In South Gujarat, where ISWA currently operates, farming communities are experiencing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and sudden floods. For smallholder and marginal farmers, who depend almost entirely on agriculture for income and food security, these changes are creating growing uncertainty.
At ISWA, we recognize that safeguarding rural livelihoods requires climate-adaptive agriculture that is resource-efficient, inclusive, and locally rooted. We are committed to building resilient farming systems that ensure both income stability and environmental sustainability for the most vulnerable households.
Our Agriculture and Climate Change program focuses on the following integrated pillars:

Market-Linked Climate Solutions

We integrate farmers into value chains that reward sustainable practices, ensuring that climate-smart agriculture is also economically viable. Through this holistic approach, ISWA aims to secure nutrition, income, and environmental resilience for farming families who are on the frontlines of climate change. Our programs are designed to scale and replicate across diverse agro-ecological landscapes, in partnership with communities and institutions.

Building Farmer Collectives

We support the formation and strengthening of producer groups and farmer institutions that can collectively take up landscape-level interventions for climate resilience.

Soil Health and Land Regeneration

Our interventions focus on soil fertility improvement, contour bunding, and the promotion of natural and regenerative farming practices that restore ecological balance and reduce input dependence.

Water Security and Efficiency

We work to improve water harvesting, storage, and use efficiency through structures like farm ponds, check dams, and promotion of micro-irrigation systems.

Water Security and Efficiency

We work to improve water harvesting, storage, and use efficiency through structures like farm ponds, check dams, and promotion of micro-irrigation systems.

Sustainable Energy for Agriculture

ISWA promotes the use of solar irrigation systems and biogas to reduce fossil fuel dependence and improve energy access for small and marginal farmers.

Agroforestry and Crop Diversification

We facilitate horticulture, multi-purpose tree plantations, and reintroduction of indigenous crops like millets and pulses, which are both climate-resilient and nutritionally rich.

Livestock Integration

Recognizing the importance of livestock for the poorest households, we work on fodder development, animal health camps, and backyard livestock management, while also focusing on reducing methane emissions.

Agroforestry and Crop Diversification

We facilitate horticulture, multi-purpose tree plantations, and reintroduction of indigenous crops like millets and pulses, which are both climate-resilient and nutritionally rich.