The primary reason for the inability of families within this rural community to support their children is the lack of sustained income from agriculture. As a result in 2001 SPPD focused on the need to support the farming community. with support from the  Irish Embassy12.75 acres of dry land was purchased and The Iynthinai Centre for Dry Land Farming Research and Development was created.  It focuses on integrated livestock management, fodder production, preservation and storage of organic manures and herbal pesticides, fertilizer preparation, seed banks, dry farming demonstration unit, crop-livestock farming, soil testing facilities, and workable models on agro-forestry, horticulture, animal husbandry, and micro watershed structures.

• In the year 2007-08,with the support of  IGSSS (Indo Global Social Service Society) SPPD executed a Project entitled "Ensuring Sustainable Livelihood of Farmers through Crop-Livestock Farming System” in order to improve food and income security of farmers in Dry land farming area. Under the project, various initiatives were introduced and implemented viz., live stock support, farmer field school, monetary support to purchase agricultural tools, development of community and individual fodder banks, field trips, organic vegetables and fruits cultivation and adoption of ensilage and LEISA (Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture technologies.   Totally, 120 farmers, from 12 Farmers Club, have been benefited by the project.
• From 2005 to 2008, SPPD  implemented a pair of  projects supported by AMEF(Agriculture,Man and Ecology Foundation)/FAO as part of its Sub Deccan Plateau Project. SPPD's  focus is to improve the livelihood of small and marginal farmers living in Dry Land farming areas of Trichy district. 
• In 2009, under the aegis of AMEF/WWF-ICRISAT, SPPD initiated a project –“Systemic Rice Intensification-Improving Livelihoods through Sustainable Use of Natural Resources" aimed at producing more food grain with less water under the banner of “Promoting farm methods to improve water productivity”. This project will enable the dry land farmers to produce more yield with less inputs which in turn will increase the efficacy of cultivation and economize the whole farming  process.
• SPPD has conducted field trials on shared fodder plots in three villages to identify the most suitable fodder variety for this area. 140 farmers are now individually cultivating the selected crops in their fields.
• With the support of AMEF (Agriculture, Man and the Ecology Foundation).SPPD has conducted Farmer Field Schools in six villages, attended by a total of 120 farmers.   This allowed for a ‘transfer of technology’ which has provided them with informed choices for decision making to improve their crop productivity
• Twelve Farmers’ Clubs have been formed with about 20 members in each club.  They have started savings and credit activities and have been linked to nationalized banks and cooperatives to avail themselves of credit facilities.
• 12 clubs have been federated – Marutham Federation - to create a platform for sharing and dissemination of experience, learning and marketing opportunities.
• Workshops are conducted on soil and water conservation techniques.  Farmers learn contour bunding, cross ploughing, irrigation catch pit method, etc. and are starting to adopt these techniques on their lands.
• Farmers were selected from nearby villages and attended a leadership training course.
• Through a programme jointly sponsored by SPPD and NABARD,  farmers were trained in micro-enterprise development.  Many of them are now preparing Azolla, and a few  are producing Panchakaviyam (a bio- fertilizer and an organic pesticide) and a few others are producing herbal pesticide and Neem oil.
• Many veterinary camps were conducted at Soriyampatti village this year.  Many cows were treated for various diseases, a few  were artificially inseminated, and drugs and tablets were provided to a few hundred goats.
• Research students from Queensland University ,Australia  visited our “ Iynthinai farm” to learn and study about the economic status of Dry land farmers and sustainable farming techniques adopted in the farm.
  

SPPD has established "Iynthinai" Centre for Dry Land Farming Research and Development to promote sustainable  Dry land farming . It is the only dry land farm run by an NGO in Tamil Nadu. It covers an area of 12.5 acres.

Problems faced by farmers:

•    Dry land – semi arid region.No rain for 8 months of the year. 
•    Mono cropping of rice for years – impoverished soil
•    Prior overuse of chemical fertilizers
•    Lack of understanding of water conservation methods
•    Deforestation and very shallow topsoil (5 inches or less)
•    Diminished and irregular monsoon season
•    Harvesting difficulty as a result of monsoon failure
•    Adverse impact of climate change on farming practices.

To address these issues SPPD has developed the following:

•    Phased reintroduction of effective, proven and traditional Organic Farming methods under dry land (semi arid) farming situations. New technologies to counteract drought and increase crop productivity.
•    Training of  poor and marginal farmers in the knowledge and skills relating to organic farming technologies.  200 farmers in 6 villages
•    10 Farmer Self Help Groups formed into a federation – Marudham – to improve farming methods through shared use of resources and knowledge  and facilitate borrowing  micro loans –
•    Training of farmers in various organic inputs (products) preparation and their utilization such as vermicompost,  panjakavium and herbal pesticides.
•    A combined fodder crop/livestock farming system for increased income and sustainability.
•    Tree planting to induce appropriate micro-climate in the crop area, and  provide fodder for livestock as well as supplementary income from the sale of timber.
•    Ongoing evaluation and crop selection at  Iynthinai Centre for Dry Land Farming Research and Development