National Rainfed Area Authority ( NRAA )
The Government has set up National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), an expert body to provide the much-needed knowledge inputs regarding systematic up-gradation and management of country’s dry land and rainfed agriculture.
An order for setting up the Authority was issued on 3rd November, 2006.
The NRAA has a two tier structure. The first tier is the Governing Board that provides necessary leadership and appropriate coordination in implementation of programmes. The Governing Board is chaired by Union Agriculture Minister and co-chaired by Union Minister of Rural Development.
The second tier is the Executive Committee consisting of technical experts and representatives from stakeholder Ministries. The Executive Committee would be headed by a full time Chief Executive Officer who should be a recognized expert on the subject. The CEO will be supported by five full-time technical experts. The Authority is serviced by the Ministry of Agriculture and is located at Delhi.
The Authority’s mandate is wider than mere water conservation and covers all aspects of sustainable and holistic development of rainfed areas, including appropriate farming and livelihood system approaches. Issues pertaining to landless and marginal farmers, who constitute the large majority of inhabitants of rainfed areas, are to be addressed by the Authority.
Vision
To make rainfed agriculture an economically viable enterprise for improving livelihood and welfare of farming community, by adopting appropriate strategies compatible with agro-ecology, agro-biodiversity and sustainability.
Mission
To promote prosperity of farmers and ensure inclusive growth in rainfed areas of the country on a sustainable basis.
Goals
1) To serve the nation’s agriculture sector by developing competence as an expert body, and provide the much needed inputs in terms of information, knowledge, technology and management practices to all the stakeholders concerned with up-gradation and management of the country’s rainfed agriculture systems including the dryland agriculture.
2) To act as an overarching organization for frontline piloting of innovations and emerging technologies in rainfed agriculture.
3) To serve as a platform for convergence & coordination of various programmes / schemes / projects /other initiatives relating to rainfed agriculture systems, with a view to realizing synergy at both planning and implementation stages.
4) To promote efficiency & effectiveness in delivery of schemes / programmes / projects / other initiatives, that target the rainfed agriculture, region and farmers by ensuring proper and timely advise, guidance and supervision, besides undertaking evaluation studies.
5) To serve as the source of information and data base on all aspects of rainfed agriculture, including rainfed farmers.
6) To develop comprehensive drought proofing plans, and undertake time bound implementation through the state governments, beginning with 150 most vulnerable rainfed districts, identified through NICRA study.
Mandate
1) To prepare a perspective plan, outlining the national strategy and road map for holistic and sustainable development of rainfed farming areas.
2) To evolve common guidelines for all schemes of different Ministries including Externally aided project (EAPs) for development of Rainfed/ Dry land Farming Systems.
3) To coordinate and bring convergence within and among agricultural and wasteland development programmes being implemented in rainfed areas of the country.
4) To identify rainfed areas in different States which need priority attention and prepare watershed development programmes for integrated natural resource management in consultation with States, focusing on multi dimensional crop, livestock, horticulture, agri-pasture integrated systems and programmes for landless farming communities.
5) To identify gaps in input supply, credit availability, dissemination of appropriate technology and other requirements relevant for development of rainfed areas.
6) To guide the implementing agencies on priority setting and monitor the specific interventions required.
7) To develop plans/ programmes for capacity building of Centre/ State Government functionaries in rainfed areas.
8) To suggest modalities to strengthen National and State Level Institutions concerned with Rainfed/Dryland areas, and establish institutional linkages with prioritized watersheds.
9) To monitor disbursement of rural credit/insurance cover/ safety net programmes developed for rainfed areas.
10) To set the research agenda including a critical appraisal of on-going programmes and promote diffusion of required knowledge for integrated farming in rainfed areas to district and lower level authorities.
11) To evaluate the effectiveness of completed watersheds and concurrent evaluation of on-going programmes.
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