Context
The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) recently reviewed draft guidelines for improved watershed management under the REWARD Programme aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience.
About REWARD Program
- REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) is a World Bank-assisted watershed development programme being implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) in Karnataka and Odisha during 2021–2026.
- The programme aims to strengthen institutional capacity and promote science-based watershed management practices.
- It seeks to improve climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and livelihood opportunities in selected watershed regions.
- The programme operates through the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing mechanism, under which World Bank assistance is linked to the achievement of predefined Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
- It focuses on strengthening institutional and policy frameworks for effective watershed governance.
- Another key focus area is the promotion of scientific watershed interventions to support climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
