Projects

Under the DST-SUNIL Program supported by the SEED Division, Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India), has been implementing the initiative “Strengthening Resource Efficiency in Small Farm-Based Livelihoods through Biologically Integrated Farming Systems” in 10 flood-prone villages of Campierganj Block, Gorakhpur. With 200 Scheduled Caste and economically weaker households as direct beneficiaries, this initiative has been addressing the persistent challenges of low landholding (0.72–1.02 acre), high input costs, degraded soils (OC: 0.43%), and recurrent flood damage—particularly to Kharif crops, impacting over 45% of the farming population in the region.

It has been evolving sustainable farming practices such as raised mound cultivation, use of cement bags for vegetable farming, and crop diversification techniques to improve land-use efficiency and reduce crop losses in waterlogged and sandy soils. Alongside these on-farm strategies, the initiative has also been working to scientifically enhance the role of village wetlands in building resilience. In sites like Badshahpur Pond, interventions have improved water holding capacity by 22%, enabled irrigation for 4.38 acres of Rabi crops, and directly benefitted 20 households. The improved ecosystem has supported vegetable cultivation, groundwater recharge, and even fire control measures, illustrating the multifunctionality of restored wetlands.

Empowering Farmers through Knowledge, Innovation, and Local Action

To ensure long-term sustainability and scale, has been capacitating farmers and local civil society organizations through training, field demonstrations, and community-led innovation platforms. The initiative has been promoting a synergy of local wisdom and scientific knowledge by facilitating trials, collecting real-time feedback, and refining low-cost, low-impact technologies for smallholder farming. Efforts also have focused on improving access to information, especially where over 82% of farmers previously lacked linkages to government advisories, schemes, and Agro-weather updates.

In addition, the team has been assessing five wetland ecosystems for ecological degradation and livelihood potential. Through scientific evaluations of provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services, the project has been identifying nature-based solutions that link wetland rejuvenation with food security, income generation, and biodiversity conservation. As a result, the initiative has been creating a replicable model for climate-resilient, biologically integrated farming systems that support marginalized farmers, especially women, in one of India’s most ecologically vulnerable regions.