Dhenkanal

IRDMS has played a key role in implementing the REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) project in Deogarh district. Supported by the World Bank and implemented under the aegis of the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development, Government of Odisha, this initiative primarily functions as a capacity-building programme for watershed stakeholders. The project focuses on strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of local watershed committees, Water User Associations (WUAs), and Pani Panchayats to promote participatory irrigation management and sustainable natural resource governance. Through targeted training, awareness generation, and skill enhancement, the programme seeks to empower these stakeholders to effectively manage soil and water conservation activities—including contour bunding, check dams, farm ponds, and afforestation—in their respective watershed areas. By enhancing the capabilities of community institutions, the REWARD project aims to foster equitable and efficient water distribution, support the restoration of degraded natural resources, and contribute to increased agricultural productivity and climate resilience among rural communities in Deogarh. .