(a) whether the Government proposes to revamp the National Rainfed Area Authority;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has finalised any roadmap for the said purpose; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY
OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): The Union Government has set up a National Rainfed Area Authority
(NRAA) as an advisory, policy making and monitoring body to provide knowledge
inputs regarding systematic up-gradation and management of country’s dryland and
rainfed agriculture in November, 2006. The Authority is already functioning and
has published the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects with a fresh
framework for the next generation watershed programmes. The Guidelines coupled
with the flexibilities inherent in them would provide an enabling framework for the
planning, design, management and implementation of all watershed development
projects in the country. New watershed projects are being implemented in accordance
with these Common Guidelines with effect from 1st April, 2008. NRAA has organized
orientation workshops for adoption of Common guidelines in the States. The Authority
has also prepared a vision document “Harnessing Opportunities in Rainfed Areasâ€.