Yogesh Sawant

Senior Thematic Programme Executive

BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune, India

Qualifications: B.Sc. (Microbiology); M.Sc. (Tropical Forestry), Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom

Email: ygsawant@baif.org.in                  Mobile: +91 7972552787

Work Experience:  25 years in Rural Development – Agriculture-based initiatives, Agroforestry, Agri-Horti-Forestry (Wadi) programme and Climate-Smart initiatives.

Significant Contributions

Coordinated large-scale high impact programmes based on the Wadi (Agroforestry based) approach in various geographies of India resulting in significant improvement in the livelihoods of tribal families and environmental benefits including carbon sequestration in trees and soils.

Evolved and piloted highly replicable development models based on “Holistic Village Development”.

Contributed for replication and scaling-up of the Wadi programme.

Developed Resource materials and conducted various capacity building initiatives for development organizations for replication of the Wadi programme.

Publications

Wadi Development User Guide

Technical papers published in International and National Journals – LEISA, CSR Mandate

Representation

  • World Congress on Agroforestry, France (2019). Delivered key note Address on impact of Wadi (Agri-Horti.-Forestry) in reducing distress migration, improved livelihoods and quality of lives of tribal families in areas of South Gujarat.
  • World Congress on Agroforestry, Canada (2022). Delivered 2 talks on research studies and experiences of Wadi – Agroforestry programmes.
  • International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation – Adaptation Futures, New Delhi (2020).
  • National Conference on Forestry in India (2016). Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Livelihoods Approach for Sustainable Forest Management.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Best Case Study for “Wadi (Agroforestry) Approach for Tribal Development” at the National level Sitaram Rao Livelihoods Competition 2010.
  • Second Prize for achievements and perspective plan for rural development through the Wadi Approach (Agroforestry based approach) in “Bihar Innovation Forum-II”.
  • Nominated for ‘Conservation of the Indian Magur’ at the National Conference on Social Innovation organised by Pune International Centre.
  • Commonwealth Scholarship