Editorial Book

Book Title: Recent Research Trends in Soil Science (Volume 1)

PAID ACCESS | Published on : 23-Jun-2026 | Pages: 70-82 |

Impact of NICRA-Based Climate-Resilient Technologies on Livelihoods in Tribal Villages of Khowai District, Tripura

• Dipankar Dey
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khowai, Chebri, Tripura, India.


• Manoj Singh Sachan
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khowai, Chebri, Tripura, India.


• Mainak Ghosh
• ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.


• A. K. Mohanty
• ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.


• A. K. Singha
• ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Umiam, Meghalaya, India


• P. K. Pathak
• ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Umiam, Meghalaya, India


• Amrutha T
• ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.


• M.C. Kundu
• Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India.

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability and livelihood security, particularly among tribal farming communities dependent on rainfed agriculture. The present study assessed the impact of climate-resilient technologies implemented under the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project in North Pulinpur and Duski villages of Khowai district, Tripura, during 2011–2021. The study adopted an ex post facto research design, using primary data collected through participatory rural appraisal, focus group discussions, farmer interactions, and field observations, and secondary information from project records and reports. Interventions were implemented under four major modules: natural resource management, crop production, livestock and fisheries, and institutional innovations. Water harvesting structures and solar-powered irrigation systems improved water availability and provided supplemental irrigation to 113.48 ha of agricultural land, increasing cropping intensity from 116% to 155%. Climate-resilient crop production technologies, particularly the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), enhanced crop productivity and profitability. Livestock interventions, including improved pig shelters, crossbred pigs, and backyard poultry, strengthened livelihood diversification and income generation. Institutional innovations such as Village Climate Risk Management Committees (VCRMCs), seed banks, and custom hiring centres enhanced community participation and adaptive capacity. Women and youth actively contributed to the adoption and management of climate-resilient livelihood activities. The findings demonstrate that integrated climate-resilient technologies, supported by community institutions and convergence with government programmes, significantly improve agricultural productivity, livelihood security, and resilience to climatic stresses. The NICRA model offers substantial potential for scaling up climate adaptation strategies in tribal and climate-vulnerable regions of North-East India.

Keywords

Climate change, climate-resilient agriculture, NICRA, livelihood security, tribal farmers, tripura

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