In the flood-prone districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and North Bihar, India, climate-resilient farming is helping smallholder farmers adapt to increasing flooding, waterlogging and extreme weather while advancing gender equity and social inclusion. Implemented by the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, the approach combines climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, farmer-led innovation and support for women's leadership.

The initiative demonstrates how adaptation can go beyond reducing climate risk to address underlying social inequalities. By working with women farmers, landless households and marginalised communities, the programme strengthened livelihoods, expanded access to resources and services, and increased women's participation in decision-making at household, community and institutional levels.

Key messages

• Climate-resilient farming can support both climate adaptation and social transformation when it deliberately addresses barriers faced by women and marginalised groups.
• Women-centred approaches that combine training, climate information, collective action, access to technologies and engagement with government systems can strengthen women's agency, leadership and economic opportunities.
• Farmer-led innovation and the integration of local, Indigenous and scientific knowledge help ensure that climate solutions respond to local realities and are more likely to be adopted and sustained.
• Collective platforms such as self-help groups, farmer field schools and producer organisations can improve access to markets, finance, knowledge and public services while strengthening women's voice and bargaining power.
• Long-term support, enabling policies and investments in ecosystem restoration, gender-responsive services and local leadership are critical for scaling inclusive and resilient agricultural systems.