National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has begun a marathon exercise across Tamil Nadu to sensitise farmers on climate change and need to focus on water conservation.

Organising interaction meetings in every district, the NABARD managers offer expertise to the stakeholders on water conservation and efficient management techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. Speaking at a campaign here on Saturday, NABARD General Manager S. Vijayalakshmi said agriculture, being climate-dependent, was adversely impacted by changes in climatic conditions such as temperature, rainfall and humidity. There were changes in cropping seasons, decreased availability of water for irrigation.

Tamil Nadu had a high probability of increase in the frequency and intensity of climate-related natural hazards. The size of landholdings also was on the decline, thereby increasing the number of small and marginal farmers and their vulnerability to climate change.

Water experts at the meeting voiced concern over failure of monsoon, poor water storage and natural calamities such as cyclones and droughts. While the irrigation efficiency was as low as 35%, groundwater was also over-exploited in most parts of the State, they said and called for adopting new strategies.

There were a number of crops which required less water and they could be popularised. Farmers should be taught to be self-reliant, instead of depending on the government.

The NABARD was exploring the possibility of roping in business houses under their corporate social responsibility activities.

To create awareness among students, a painting competition had been planned by Kendriya Vidyalaya students, said NABARD District Development Manager P.S. Harikrishnaraj.