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

Climate change continues to pose serious threats to agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions like Tamil Nadu. In response, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a holistic approach aimed at enhancing productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study was conducted during 2022-2023 with the objective of documenting CSA technologies practiced across the seven agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, covering one representative district from each zone: Villupuram, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari, and The Nilgiris. A multi-stage stratified sampling method was employed to select 210 progressive farmers (30 per district) who were either adopters of CSA technologies or participants in the NICRA program. Primary data were collected through structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed a diverse array of CSA practices adapted to local climatic conditions, including improved seed varieties, micro-irrigation systems, moisture conservation techniques, precision-based nutrient management, crop diversification, and the use of agro-advisory services. Notable interventions included rain hose irrigation in drought-prone zones, integrated fish farming in flood-prone areas, and frost-resistant crop varieties in hilly regions. Additionally, livestock management strategies such as smart shelters and feed supplementation were observed as critical adaptations in several zones. The findings highlight the region-specific nature of CSA adoption and underscore the need for targeted policy and extension support to upscale proven technologies. The documented practices serve as a valuable knowledge base for climate-resilient agricultural planning in Tamil Nadu.