NABARD launches program Jiva to promote natural farming.

Why in news?

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is implementing Jiva (life) alongside its network of non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in rural areas to revitalise ‘life’ around agriculture.
• It is a natural farming program under NABARD’s ongoing watershed and Wadi (tribal development projects) programs in 11 states.
• To be implemented under Wadi programmes. It consists of five geographical regions. These areas are environmentally fragile and rain-fed areas.
• NABARD will collaborate with Australia-based Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) for simple soil water monitoring techniques and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for scientific validation of natural farming activities for research support.