About Us
This comprehensive initiative is jointly spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)—notably through its Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences—and the Progyan Foundation for Research and Innovation (PFRI), with strategic support from IndusInd Bank. The collaborative framework harnesses both scientific rigor and ground-level insights, drawing on IITM’s climate action leadership and PFRI’s expertise in translating research into field-based sustainability solutions. Activities include focus group discussions with marginal farmers, capacity-building workshops, and the implementation of nature-based solutions, all aimed at empowering communities to cope with and adapt to a dynamic climate. By fostering community-driven climate resilience and enabling technology adoption in two diverse agro-climatic landscapes, the project seeks to establish scalable blueprints for sustainable, inclusive development in India’s vulnerable rural heartlands.
Objectives
Study several climate change scenarios to predict ensuing climatic regime in the intervention area in this milieu
Sustainably intensify primary productivity through innovative agroforestry models, resilient to changing climatic regime
Develop place-based agroecological models for demonstration
Value ecosystem services to create carbon-leveraging apparatus towards sustainability
Target locations
Dharashiv, Maharashtra:
Dharashiv, Maharashtra(formerly known as Osmanabad) is a major district in the Marathwada region and is officially recognized under India’s Aspirational Districts Programme. The district experiences frequent droughts, being located in the rain shadow region of Maharashtra, which makes it highly dependent on groundwater for agricultural needs. Limited canal irrigation and inadequate external water sources have pushed the local farming community to innovate with available resources, often facing deteriorating soil health and declining productivity. In recent years, initiatives like large-scale water conservation projects, construction of check dams, and irrigation development schemes have been introduced to tackle water scarcity and support agricultural livelihoods. Despite challenges in industrial growth, agriculture remains the backbone of Dharashiv’s economy, and the district has also seen ongoing investment in health, education, and sports infrastructure to enhance overall development and quality of life for its residents.
Begusarai, Bihar:
Begusarai, Bihar is similarly listed as an aspirational district, targeted for accelerated socio-economic growth under the national programme. Situated in the fertile Gangetic plains, Begusarai benefits from alluvial soils yet faces its own set of vulnerabilities, including periodic flooding, high population pressure, and fluctuations in agricultural productivity. The district holds significant potential for agricultural development, particularly given its access to water resources and conducive agro-ecological conditions. Challenges remain in ensuring consistent financial inclusion, skill development, and sustainable management of its natural resources, particularly with the presence of ecologically significant landscapes such as the Kanwar Lake. The Aspirational Districts Programme in Begusarai focuses on enhancing education, health, and livelihood opportunities, making targeted interventions to improve key indicators, build resilient infrastructure, and enable communities to participate more fully in Bihar's growing economy.
