Empowering Farmers Through Climate Resilient Activities

Building on the success of the World Bank-assisted IAMWARM project (2007-2015), which benefited 12.5 lakh farmers over 9.97 lakh acres, the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation Project (TNIAMP) was launched in 2017 with a total outlay of ₹3,267.85 crores.

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Supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the project enhances agricultural productivity, climate resilience and water management, impacting over 16 lakh farmers across 47 sub-basins in 34 districts.

TNIAMP is an integrated initiative involving seven government departments and three major universities—Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Tamil Nadu Fisheries University. Together, they focus on improving irrigation, promoting sustainable practices and increasing market access.

Irrigation Improvements: Water Resource Development under the project includes the rehabilitation of 2,626 tanks, 355 anicuts and 5,026 km of supply channels, along with construction of 94 recharge wells and On-Farm Development (OFD) works over 2.90 lakh acres. An investment of ₹2,578.82 crores has been allocated for irrigation infrastructure, benefiting 13.41 lakh acres and 7 lakh farm families.

Over 4,000 Water User Associations (WUA) have been formed across all districts to ensure participatory water governance. Surface water storage increased from 1.5 to 2 fillings and groundwater potential improved to support 2–3 crops annually through optimal water management with WUAs. Gap area reduced by 20–25% through tank bund, sluice, weir and supply channel rehabilitation, along with anicut and recharge well construction.