Icrisat watershed model for rainfed areas

The watershed development programme of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) and a consortium of partners will now be extended to the rainfed regions of the country, according to M S Swaminathan, chairman of the National Commission for Farmers.

Swaminathan, who visited Icrisat campus here on Thursday to take part in a planning workshop, told mediapersons that the road map for the next phase of the watershed project for covering the rainfed areas was currently being prepared.

He had recommended Icrisat approach for integrated watershed management to improve rural livelihoods in drought-prone districts.

According to him, the Icrisat watershed development project was reaching out to the world as a model of integrated genetic and natural resource management (IGNRM). After India, China, Vietnam and Thailand, the model had recently reached East Africa.

Icrisat director general, William Dar, said that the institute's watershed model had become popular since it brought together as a package for rural development the best of expertise available with Icrisat and all the consortium partners.

"While using the micro watershed as a geographical unit for soil and water conservation and management, the impact is strengthened with improved agronomical practices and diversified income generation activities," he added.