subsistence farming

Pranali Chikte from Vidarbha, Maharashtra, is cycling her way through drought-affected villages of the Western Indian state, spreading awareness on water conservation and the role of women in farming.

“Last year we were able to cultivate 400 kg of rice, which was a huge win for us. During the rest of the year, we cultivate pulses on that land which usually gives us a yield of 10 kg every year.”

Individual farmers, farmers' collectives and NRIs in Himachal Pradesh are taking to organic farming in a big way for good health, safe soil and groundwater for future generations.

Farmers in the southern reaches of Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu have turned to agroforestry to protect and boost incomes, because falling groundwater levels and overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has made agriculture unsustainable in the area. Jency Samuel takes a closer look.