Abstract

Tribal farmers of Boothanatham village in the Nilgiris face persistent challenges of low agricultural productivity due to rainfed farming, limited access to technologies, weak institutional linkages, and inefficient water use. Under the Tribal Sub-Plan, ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation implemented participatory soil and water conservation interventions integrating lift irrigation, solar and diesel pumps, micro-irrigation, farm ponds, crop diversification, and capacity building. These interventions enabled assured irrigation, adoption of improved technologies, cultivation of high-value crops, and strengthened institutional linkages, resulting in enhanced land productivity, increased farm income, and improved livelihood security through strong community participation.