On the occasion  of  International Tiger  Day and as a  collaborative  commitment to  wildlife  conservation  and sustainable  farming  practices, Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing event between BAIF Development Research Foundation and the Forest Department, Maharashtra for implementation of the Jal Samruddhi Project in 17 villages of Parseoni block of Nagpur district with the support of HDFC Bank Parivartan on July 29, 2026 in Nagpur. Mr. Fadnavis stated that this collaborative project between the Forest Department and Development Organisations is significant for ensuring sustainable development of communities living in fringe areas and will serve as the base for impactful partnerships in the future.

The non-financial MoU was signed by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Dr. Raviraj Jadhav, Vice President and Regional Director – West, BAIF and Mr. Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and Mr. Ashish Pilani, President, Sahyadri Wildlife Foundation and aims at sustainable agriculture, water conservation, natural resources management, wildlife-friendly farming, reducing crop losses caused by wildlife and strengthening livelihoods of more than 2000 families living in buffer villages through technical support, training of farmers and community engagement.

The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Mr. Ganesh Naik, Hon. Cabinet Minister, Forest, Government of Maharashtra, Mr. M. Srinivasa Rao, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Maharashtra State, Mr. Ramesh Kumar, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Pench Tiger Reserve, Mr. Shailesh Bhagat, Chief Programme Manager, BAIF and HDFC senior officials – Mr. Amit Lad, Zonal Head, Mr. Sushant Bhange, Zonal Head, Mr. Pavan Dongare, CSR Head and Mr. Satyendra Singh, Branch Manager. Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State for Home and School Education, Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Sumit Wankhede, MLA, Arvi constituency, Wardha district and Representatives from Bhutan, Cambodia and Bangladesh were also present on this occasion which was held at IIM Nagpur.

Dr. Ravi Kumar Gandham, VPPS, Director, BRIC-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, visited BAIF Central Research Station, Uruli Kanchan, Pune on July 27, 2026 and interacted with the senior leadership and team of scientists on advancing livestock genomics, animal health and collaborative research for sustainable livestock development.

Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Dr. Jayant Khadse, Vice President – Livestock Development and Scientific Research, highlighted BAIF’s holistic, farmer-centric approach to sustainable rural development and key initiatives in livestock improvement, climate resilience and technology-driven extension services.

Dr. Gandham shared the pioneering work of NIAB in livestock genomics, biotechnology and animal health and expressed his admiration for the contribution of BAIF in livelihoods enhancement of smallholder dairy farmers during a subsequent field visit to Kopargaon in Ahilya Nagar district.

BAIF team of scientists – Dr. Sachin Joshi, Chief Thematic Programme Executive – Animal Genetics, Breeding and Genomics, Dr. Kaustubh Bhave, Dr. Santosh Jadhav and Mr. Yuvaraj Gaundare showcased various innovations in livestock genomics and health with focus on  genetic improvement and enhanced animal productivity.   Mr. Pramodkumar Takawale,    Programme  Director – Agricultural   Research, Dr. Vitthal Kauthale,   Chief   Thematic   Programme  Executive – Farm    Research  and   Seed     Programme    and    Dr. Manojkumar Aware, Chief Thematic Programme Executive – Animal Nutrition and Climate Action also participated in the discussions which identified areas for collaborative research and technology development.

BAIF and NIAB reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging scientific innovation, genomics, and field-based implementation to strengthen sustainable livestock development and empower rural communities.

Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing event between BAIF Development Research Foundation and the Directorate of Sericulture, Department of Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles for Tussar-centric Livelihoods Development in Gadchiroli district on July 21, 2026 in Mumbai. The non-financial MoU was signed between Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Mr. Vinay Moon, IAS, Director, Sericulture, Maharashtra in the presence of the Hon. Textile Minister, Mr. Sanjay Sawakare, Mrs. Anshu Sinha, IAS, Principal Secretary, Textiles, senior officials from Government of Maharashtra and Dr. Raviraj Jadhav, Vice President, Mr. Sudhir Wagle, Joint Regional Director – West and Mr. Shailesh Bhagat, Chief Programme Manager, BAIF.

This special project is being undertaken by the Government of Maharashtra and BAIF. The private company, Herbalife has joined to support initial rearing of the cocoons and assets for the reeling activity. The project aims at strengthening the local economy by establishing private tussar seed production centres, promoting commercial cocoon production, value-added post cocoon activities and technical training for capacity building and empowerment of 2270 Scheduled Tribe families and women’s Self Help Groups in Gadchiroli district. Subsequent discussions with Hon. Textile Minister focussed on future collaboration to explore the potential for expansion of the tussar and mulberry silk industry across Maharashtra.

BAIF Development Research Foundation and Vaidic Dharma Sansthan (VDS), a public trust under the aegis of Art of Living Foundation, signed an MoU on July 8, 2026 in Bengaluru. The MoU was signed by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Brahmachari Swaprakash Deepak Sharma, Trustee, VDS.

BAIF will extend technical expertise to the Gaushala operated by VDS to enhance cattle health and productivity. The collaboration will demonstrate indigenous breed improvement through scientific breeding, balanced feeding, and effective animal health management and joint initiatives in research, training, internships, exposure visits, community-based livestock and rural development projects.

Senior officials from BAIF – Mr. B. Shivarudrappa, Vice President and Regional Director – South, Dr. Jayant Khadse, Vice President – Livestock Development and Scientific Research, Dr. Vitthal Kauthale, Chief Thematic Programme Executive – Agricultural Research, Mr. Waman Kulkarni, Chief Thematic Programme Executive – Natural Resource Management and Dr. Manikandan, State Head, Karnataka and the Management team from the Gaushala were present during this event.

BAIF Bhavan, Pune, an integral part of the legacy of BAIF, has completed three decades today. On June 19, 1996, the BAIF Bhavan and the Management Training Centre – the dream of our Founder – Late Dr. Manibhai Desai, an associate of Mahatma Gandhi, were inaugurated by then Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Stanley Gooch. The premises spread over 2 ha and which houses various facilities – the Head Office, Training Classrooms, Hostel and Canteen, amidst a green canopy with diverse flora and fauna and forming a shelterbelt for improved micro-climate and biodiversity conservation, has been a testament to the growth of the organisation.

Over the years these premises have welcomed and nurtured young professionals with a desire to contribute to sustainable development of Rural India. It has also had the honour of receiving national and international dignitaries and wellwishers who have expressed their support for fulfilling the mission of BAIF. With its presence in 7 states three decades ago, today, BAIF has expanded to 18 states, reaching out to more than 4 million families in more than 100,000 villages and moving steadily towards Viksit Bharat@2047.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation) Development Research Foundation, Pune, formalized a strategic partnership through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at BAIF’s Central Research Station, Uruli Kanchan, Pune, on June 15, 2026.

​The MoU was exchanged between Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF, and Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, marking a significant step towards collaborative research, innovation, technology validation, and capacity building in areas critical to sustainable development.

A key focus of the partnership will be the advancement of agrivoltaics, an emerging field that integrates solar energy generation with agricultural production. CSIR-NIIST has been developing innovative agrivoltaic technologies to optimize solar energy generation while enhancing agricultural productivity through advanced solar panel configurations and light-management approaches. BAIF, among the early adopters of agrivoltaics in India, has undertaken field-scale studies on diverse agrivoltaic systems and their impact on crop productivity and farm sustainability. Together, the two organizations will collaborate on field validation, demonstration, and deployment of agrivoltaic technologies across diverse agro-climatic regions of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, said, “This partnership with BAIF represents a convergence of scientific innovation and grassroots impact. By combining CSIR-NIIST’s technological expertise with BAIF’s extensive field network and experience in rural development, we aim to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies that support climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy generation, and improved rural livelihoods.”

During his visit, Dr. Anandharamakrishnan toured BAIF’s research facilities, field demonstrations, and laboratories. Discussions identified several additional areas for collaboration, including vegan leather technology, green technologies, wastewater treatment and reuse, agricultural waste management, biomass valorization, AI-enabled drone technologies for soil, water, and crop management, and waste-to-wealth solutions such as biodegradable plastics, eco-friendly packaging materials, agricultural mulch, and biodegradable cutlery.

Established in 1967 by Dr. Manibhai Desai, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, BAIF is one of India’s premier rural development organizations with a distinguished legacy in sustainable agriculture, livestock development, natural resource management, and livelihood enhancement. Its extensive grassroots presence and community-centered approach have made it a catalyst for rural transformation across the country.

The agreement was exchanged in the presence of senior scientists and officials from both organizations, including Dr. Jayant Khadse, Vice President – Livestock Development and Scientific Research, BAIF; Mr. Pramod Takawale, Programme Director – Agricultural Research, BAIF; Dr. Adersh Ashok, Senior Scientist, CSIR-NIIST; and scientists and research teams from both institutions.

The strategic partnership is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of scalable solutions in agrivoltaics, circular bioeconomy, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, water management, and rural development, contributing significantly to India’s sustainability, climate action, and rural prosperity goals.

Courtesy: Press Information Bureau, Thiruvananthapuram 

Mango, the King of Fruits needs no introduction. This most sought after fruit has a very rich legacy. In Maharashtra, diverse varieties of mango are cultivated in traditional and non-traditional areas. This diversity was showcased at the unique Indigenous Mango Diversity Festival hosted by BAIF at its Head Office in Pune.

​The exhibition displayed more than 330 indigenous varieties cultivated in Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Dharashiv, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Latur districts each with its distinct characteristics, origin and cultural significance. The festival brought together conservationists, researchers, field practitioners and consumers with the common goal of conservation of unique agrobiodiversity for climate resilience, nutritional security, dietary diversity and as a secure food for future generations. Major discussions focussed on candidate selection, genomic and nutritional studies, genome saviours database, value addition and building a platform for knowledge enrichment.

The festival was inaugurated by Sayaji Shinde, Founder, Sahyadri Devarai Foundation in the presence of Dr. Ashok Giri, Senior Scientist, National Chemcial Laboratory, Pune, Dr. Subhash Bhalekar, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Pune, Mr. Amit Gadre, Sakal Agrowon, Dr. Santosh Suryavanshi, Ayurveda Expert, Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, former Head of the Department of Biodiversity, Garware College, Pune, Dr. Sujata Taitali, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV & FRA), Branch Office, Pune, BAIF Senior Management – Mr. Shrinivas Kulkarni, Ms. Pritam Chandak, Dr. Rajashree Joshi and Mr. Sanjay Patil – BAIF’s Agrobiodiversity Lead, Thematic and other enthusiastic teams from BAIF Head Office and mango lovers from across the city.

The festival with its staggering display of diverse varieties of mangoes and explained with painstaking details and pride by dedicated cultivators, was a step towards educating, conserving and ensuring sustainable use of Maharashtra’s mango cultural heritage.

​The two-day national workshop organised at the Head Office of BAIF in Pune, witnessed a stunning participation by more than 35 vibrant eDosts and Digital Sakhis associated with BAIF’s Programme in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. These new-age dynamic women brimming with confidence and leadership skills stole the show with their infectious enthusiasm, power with words, expressions and resilience. Time stood still as one after the other, these women broke the shackles of language and cultural diversities with their unity and sense of purpose, to unfold a silent digital revolution in rural India. The experience sharing sessions enabled them to learn from each other and build on their capacities while exploring new pathways for rural transformation.

​Many of these women, who once had limited mobility and financial agency, are now earning independent incomes, operating digital platforms, facilitating financial transactions, supporting access to government schemes, and helping rural citizens navigate an increasingly digital world. For years, BAIF has consciously invested in building a grassroots cadre of women digital service providers in under-served and remote rural regions where access to technology, banking, entitlements, and information were limited. Today, these women have emerged as trusted change-makers, local entrepreneurs, and role models for countless others in their communities. Their work is even more endearing because of the fact that they are often the first point of support for the elderly, widows, differently-abled and vulnerable households for whom digital systems and formal institutions are formidable challenges.

With the arrival of doorstep digital and financial services provided by this band of neo-digital and financial providers, crucial gaps in access, dignity, and inclusion are being narrowed swiftly. The transformation in their own lives has been equally remarkable. The surge in self-esteem, financial independence, decision-making ability and recognition within families and society is helping to break the glass ceiling in rural India. Women are no longer seen merely as beneficiaries — they have a new identity and are now known as breadwinners, leaders, and technology ambassadors of their villages.

Over the years, BAIF-facilitated 650+ Digital Sakhis and eDosts have collectively reached thousands of rural households, facilitated access to multiple government welfare schemes, promoted digital and financial literacy, enabled online services, and created sustainable livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level. This initiative is a powerful example of how connectivity can be made meaningful — where science, technology, and society come together to create inclusive and human-centred development. It reflects the vision of a Digital India where no village, no woman, and no vulnerable citizen is left behind.

In this journey, the invaluable partnership and support extended by fintech and institutional partners namely, PayNearby, Bankit, Partner banks, APC-Internet Society, IIT Bombay, Tata Motors, ITC, L & T Finance, Reliance Foundation and Gates Foundation have enabled BAIF to strengthen the rural digital ecosystem.

Conceived as a mission-mode stock-taking exercise, the workshop drew upon strategic guidance and facilitation support from BAIF’s senior team members -Rajashree Joshi and Waman Kulkarni, Sujata Kangude, Women Empowerment Anchor, and was very well coordinated by Ms. Pooja Majgankar who has been anchoring the E-Dost Initiative at BAIF. The workshop was also enriched with a motivational session by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President, BAIF.

One-health and biodiversity are critical aspects. In the absence of connections between the loss of forest cover, impact on air quality and health, Biohappiness should be the goal along with a set of social and human capital indicators, stated Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist, World Health Organization and currently, the Chairperson of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai during her visit to BAIF, Pune on May 22, 2026.

Dr. Swaminathan, daughter of former Vice Chairman of BAIF, Bharat Ratna Late Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, while interacting with senior BAIF team led by Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, lamented the exclusive focus on financial capital and infrastructure development and the need for key policies beyond GDP which India can take to the world. There is a need for a national programme on agrobiodiversity with the Government extending funding and other support to ensure a large database for plant breeding and linking it for the benefit of the farmers and committed community seed banks.

Nutrition and the health-food system are broken and malnutrition, stunting, anaemia are still prevalent among women and children in tribal areas apart from the alarming rise in diabetes and obesity especially among younger people. As 2026 is the Year of the Woman Farmer, she called for incentives in agriculture and replication of women-centred enterprises and innovations. Science, research straddled with development and a partnership / consortium approach are also very important, she concluded. She and the Pune-based Chairs of MSSRF-Nutrition and Women in Agriculture Centres, expressed interest in BAIF’s publications, agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions in Agriculture exhibits and interacted with Dr. Kakade, Dr. Rajashree Joshi, Vice President, Programmes, Sucharita Dhar, Sanjay Patil and Viswadev VS.

Dr. Swaminathan and her team accompanied by Dr. Rajashree Joshi, also visited the BAIF Rural Innovation Centre at Uruli Kanchan, Pune on May 23 – agrivoltaics and hydroponics demonstrations, spineless cactus park, livestock genomics, research facilities, Community Health Research Centre and the marketing outlet of women self help groups and emphasised on nutrition and food systems through various interventions, during her interaction with Dr. Jayant Khadse, Vice President – Livestock Development and Scientific Research, Vithal Kauthale, Sachin Joshi, Lata Sharma, Hemant Kadam, Kaustubh Bhave, Kailas Gavhane and Sagar Jade. The visit concluded with the Nisargopachar Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi and with its focus on naturopathy for mental and physical well-being.

May 8, 2026: Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee of BAIF Development Research Foundation, has been nominated as a Member of the Advisory Board of the prestigious National Water Academy (NWA), Central Water Commission (CWC), Pune with effect from May 8, 2026 for a period of three years.

The NWA serves as a Centre of Excellence for imparting training in the development and management of water resources to serving engineers deputed from Central and State agencies. The CWC is a premier technical organisation in the country which is affiliated to the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

With his vast experience spanning nearly three and a half decades in natural resources management and innovative water resources development models in diverse agro-ecological regions of the country, the programmes implemented under the leadership of Dr. Kakade have resulted in the transformation of thousands of water-deficit villages into water-surplus villages.

Hearty congratulations to Dr. Kakade on this admirable nomination which will go a long way in strengthening and conserving the water reserves in the country through his extensive experience in sustainable water resources management and stewardship.

Apr 28, 2026: BAIF Maharashtra team was honoured to welcome Bharat Ratna Mr. Sachin Tendulkar along with Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Tendulkar to the inaugural programme of Climate Smart Village – Guhir in Wada block of Palghar district, Maharashtra, on April 28, 2026. Climate Smart Village is a transformative project being implemented by BAIF Development Research Foundation in partnership with ‘Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation (SHIF), a collaboration between the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) and Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd (SEIPL).

The visitors witnessed the remarkable transformation of Guhir village through a 40 kW solar energy system integrated with Schneider Electric’s IoT-enabled smart energy solutions. This initiative powers street lighting, households, two irrigation pumps for a lift irrigation system, women-led small enterprises, and a digital smart school with strong community engagement.

While inaugurating the programme, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar appreciated the exemplary work being undertaken through the partnership between SHIF and BAIF and engaged warmly with the students, villagers especially women farmers, and self-help groups.

Sara Tendulkar and Saaniya Tendulkar also expressed keen interest and admiration for the activities undertaken by the women’s groups, interacted with them and purchased some of their edible products including a Nagali (finger millet) product.

Mr. Deepak Sharma, Zone President Greater India, Managing Director and CEO, SEIPL, highlighted the initiative taken up with SHIF. Mrs. Bhavana Verma, Vice President and Dr. Richa Gautam, CSR and Sustainability Head, Schneider, were also present at this event.

Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee of BAIF, provided an overview of BAIF’s pan-India initiatives and the impact achieved across diverse regions through various programmes on rural livelihoods and climate action. The BAIF team comprising of Dr. Raviraj Jadhav, Vice President, Programmes, Mr. Sudhir Wagle, Joint Regional Director, West Region, Mr. Pradip Khose, Chief Programme Manager, Mr. Raosaheb Kote, Chief Thematic Programme Executive – NRM & Climate Action, and the project implementation team were also present on the occasion.

BAIF is proud to be a part of this inspiring initiative and remains committed to building replicable, community-led development models that can bring about lasting change in rural India.

We sincerely thank SHIF, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, and Schneider Electric India for their trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to rural transformation.

Mar 07, 2026: All roads led to Kaprada. Unity in diversity, freewheeling talent and confidence, pride without prejudice and knowledge coalition, were displayed at their best at the Women’s Day celebration held at Kakadkopar village in Nanapondha taluka of South Gujarat on the eve of International Women’s Day.

This one-of-its kind mega event celebrated under the Digital Sakhi and Jal Vaibhav Projects, was organised by L & T Finance Limited, Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust, Mumbai and Implementing Partner – BAIF Development Research Foundation, with women taking the lead in infusing life into the programme with their brilliant organisational and creative skills. They were the ultimate showstoppers whose adornment of statement embellishments, added a touch of old-world charm and elegance to the event. .

Each of the more than 500 stunning women from Kaprada and Nanapondha talukas, were hailed as a lotus – the national flower of India, symbolising purity and awakening. While being felicitated, each of them – Manjulaben Patel, Traditional Healer, Sumitraben Valvi, Model Community Resource Person and Digital Sakhis – Gitaben Bhusara, Vanitaben Vasava and Neeranjanaben Thorat, had an inspiring story to narrate.

The event was graced by Ms. Jyoti Nimbhorkar, Senior Programme Manager, Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust and the BAIF team led by Ms. Pritam Chandak, Vice President – Finance and comprising of Ms. Sucharita Dhar, Senior Manager – Information and Communications, Ms. Sujata Kangude, Thematic Programme Executive – Women Development, Mr. Prashant Dudhade, Thematic Programme Executive – Convergence and Mr. Jitin Sathe, Additional Chief Programme Executive – South Gujarat. The guests expressed their immense appreciation of the assembled women who had swept aside various obstacles to fast forward the lives of women and the community through sheer determination, grit, collective strength and solidarity. A play enacted by the Digital Sakhis, received a standing ovation for its well-crafted direction and powerful acting. A bright day was indeed made brighter by these emboldened women. Ms. Jareena Khatun, Project Manager, Digital Sakhi Project and Mr. Mukesh Mandraha, Project Manager, Jal Vaibhav Project, also contributed to the success of the programme.

Pan BAIF Celebrations