A Consortium Approach for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in WatershedS PWaniauthorT KSreedeviauthorH PSinghauthorT JRegoauthorPPathakauthorPSinghauthorThe natural resource management in the dry regions imposes challenging pressure on the fragile ecosystems, as they are the source of livelihoods of people whose key occupation is agriculture. ICRISAT’s earlier experiences indicated that in the past, watershed management emphasized soil and water conservation measures. Lack of holistic approach to natural resource management in conventional watersheds has led to the emergence of a new integrated watershed management model. Important components of this new model are farmer-participatory approach, use of new science tools, knowledgeflow from on-station to on-farm watersheds, holistic systems approach with integrated genetic and natural resource management (IGNRM) strategy providing site specific solutions, a consortium of institutions for technical backstopping, continuous monitoring and evaluation by the stakeholders, community and women empowerment, and environmental protection. The main features of the consortium approach are technical backstopping by the consortium of multi-institutions, linking strategic and developmental research on farmers’ fields, reducing the lag for transferring results from research fields to farmers’ fields, empowering the development workers and farmers to manage natural resources sustainably, and harnessing the strengths of the partners to make a win-win situation for all the partners. The consortium strategy has facilitated the exchange of knowledge and technologies amongst the consortium partners, reduced land degradation, and improved rural livelihoods through increased incomesWatershed Management2001Conference or Workshop Item