**2. Adoption of climate-resilient technologies to minimize the effect of climate change in AICRPDA-NICRA adopted villages of Lakhimpur district of Assam – a case study**

#### **2.1 Methodology**

#### *2.1.1 Climate vulnerability*

The climate of the village is characterized by hot and humid summer and dry and cool winter. The village is situated in a high rainfall zone. The long-term average annual rainfall of two nearby stations of the village is 1987 mm (Biswanath Chariali) and 2900 mm (north Lakhimpur) with 125 numbers of rainy days. The rainy season in the village starts in March and the quantum of rainfall as well as the number of rainy days increases gradually and reaches the maximum in July/August and then declines to a minimum during November/December. Temperatures of the village generally remain within a comfortable range, however, when there is a dry spell during the summer season, high temperature along with high humidity increases insect pests and diseases of crops. August is the hottest month and February is the coldest month.

In recent years, a substantial reduction in rainfall amount during monsoon season is noticed in this region. The village experienced drought-like situations in recent years *viz.,* 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2011. There was a substantial yield reduction of *Sali* rice during those years. In the Lakhimpur district of Assam, there is a reduction in rainfall at the rate of 0.52, 1.86, and 0.24 mm per annum during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons, respectively [9].

Chamua and its adjoining villages have different weather-related problems, such as dry spells, during the growing season of *Sali* rice, scanty rainfall during the *rabi* season, and the occurrence of occasional flash floods in a portion of the village. Almost every year the Ganakdalani village is affected by 3–5 numbers of flash floods of 7 to 15 days duration during *the kharif* season. On the other hand, during *rabi* season due to prolonged dry spells, soil moisture deficit is a problem. Due to the presence of only low-lying land situations, there is limited scope for crop diversification. *Sali* rice grown in the village suffers from floods every year.

#### *2.1.2 Soil type*

The altitude of the village varies from 83 m to 90 m, which indicates that the village has different land situations varying from upland to lowland which remains flooded continuously for about 6 to 7 months. The soils in this village are mainly Inceptisols. The soils are of sandy loam to silty clay loamy with pH ranges from 4.7 to 6.4. The organic matter content of the soils of the village varies from 0.34 to 3.03%. The status of available nitrogen (275–540 kgha−1) and potassium (138 to 330 Kgha−1) is medium; however available phosphorus (21.4–54.0 kgha−1) content of the soil is low to medium [20]. High soil acidity, high phosphate fixation, micronutrient deficiency, iron toxicity, periodic soil moisture stress during winter seasons, etc., are some of the soil-related problems of this village.

During 2010–2011, participatory rural appraisal (PRA) has been conducted by a team of scientists of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Biswanath Chariali Center with extension experts at Chamua and Ganakdalani village. Following problems have been identified during participatory rural appraisal (PRA).
