BAIF BAIF

Organisation Profile

Our Founder

DR. MANIBHAI DESAI (1920-1993)
Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai was born in Kosmada village in Surat district of Gujarat on April 27, 1920. As a young student, he joined Mahatma Gandhi during the Quit India Movement. In 1945, he received a letter from Gandhiji to come to Sevagram Ashram in Wardha. In 1946, Gandhiji established the Nature Cure Ashram at Urulikanchan near Pune and entrusted its responsibility to Manibhai.

During a span of 47 years, he not only promoted nature cure but also established BAIF Development Research Foundation (formerly known as the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation).

Dr. Manibhai Desai dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of the rural poor through sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. What set him apart from many other followers of Mahatma Gandhi was his commitment to serve the rural poor by creating opportunities of gainful employment at their doorsteps for sustainable livelihood through the application of science and technology in the field in pace with the changing times.

Board of Trustees

Name Occupation Designation
Shri. Bhalchandra Gopal Deshmukh
Mumbai
Former Cabinet Secretary, GoI Chairman
Shri. Raosaheb Pandurang Shinde
Shrirampr
Advocate & Social Worker Member
Shri. Vijayrao Sampatrao Borade
Aurangabad
President Marathwada Sheti Sahayya, Aurangabad Member
Shri. Vinayakrao Pundlik Patil,
Nashik
President, Agroforestry Federation, Nashik Member
Dr. Narayan Ganappa Hegde,
Pune
Trustee and Principal Advisor, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune Member
Shri. Girish Ghanashyam Sohani,
Pune
President, BAIF Development Research Foundation,Pune Member
Dr. Suresh Balasaheb Gokhale
Urulikanchan
Director (Research),
BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune
Member
Shri. Bharat Kakasaheb Kakade
Pune
Vice President, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune Member
Dr. Kishor Shamrao Chapalgaonkar
Aurangabad
Advisor, BAIF Development Research Foundation Member
Dr. Ashok Bhaskarrao Pande Vice President, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Urulikanchan, Pune Executive
Vice Chairman
Mr. Vijay Yashwant Deshpande Chief Programme Coordinator, MITTRA, Nasik Secretary

Management Committee

Name Designation
Dr. A. B. Pande Executive Vice Chairman
Shri. B.K.Kakde Trustee Member
Shri. V. Y. Deshpande Chief Programme Coordinator
Shri. S. M. Wagale Addl. Chief Programme Coordinator
Dr. K. R. Morgaonkar Jt. Programme Director
Shri. B. V. Sherkar Jt. Programme Director
Shri. R. C. Kote Jt. Programme Director
Shri. G. A. Patil Programme Coordinator

Finance Review Committee

Dr. A. B. Pande
Shri. V. Y. Deshpande
Shri. S. M. Wagale
Shri. A. B. Ahire

MITTRA Coverage

Work Area: Maharashtra State

Districts Blocks Villages Families
22 100 3127 158004