Green Social Work and climate resilience: analysing the psychosocial impacts of climate change on smallholder farmers in rural Tamil Nadu

Climate change is an increasing global crisis that has wide-ranging consequences beyond the physical environment and severely threatens the psychosocial well-being of vulnerable communities. In India, where rain-fed agriculture serves a large part of the population, smallholder farmers are particularly susceptible. This research study explored the psychosocial effects of climate change on smallholder farmers in Solavanthan Village, Solavanthan Taluk, Madurai District in Tamil Nadu. This research used a qualitative research design and phenomenological orientation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 smallholder farmers and 6 Key Informant Interviews (KII) with local leaders and stakeholders. Participants expressed heightened climate variability awareness, reported negative impacts including increased migration, loss of traditional knowledge, and social isolation. Barriers to adaptation included limited access to information, substandard infrastructure, and institutional neglect. The study highlighted the immediate need for climate-resilient initiatives and empowerment through Green Social Work to protect vulnerable farming communities.