National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)
Why it Matters?
A national workshop on “Agroforestry for Resilient Rainfed Landscapes” was held on 25th June 2025 in New Delhi, jointly organised by the National Rainfed Area Authority, Natural Resource Management Division of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network to promote sustainable agroforestry practices in rainfed regions.
What You Should Know?
The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) is an expert body focused on the upgradation and management of India’s dryland and rainfed agriculture.
The NRAA was established in 2006 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
It provides strategic knowledge inputs for the sustainable and holistic development of rainfed areas.
NRAA has a two-tier structure comprising the Governing Board and the Executive Committee.
The Governing Board provides leadership and inter-ministerial coordination. The Governing Board is chaired by the Union Minister of Agriculture and co-chaired by the Union Minister of Rural Development.
The Executive Committee is composed of technical experts and Ministry representatives. It is headed by a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is a domain expert in rainfed agriculture.
The NRAA secretariat is located in New Delhi and is serviced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Its mandate includes water conservation, farming systems, and livelihood approaches tailored for rainfed regions.
It also addresses issues faced by marginal and landless farmers in rainfed areas.
The NRAA plays a vital role in ensuring climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable rural development in dryland regions.