30 Years Celebration Badge

Who we are

Action for Social Advancement, commonly known as ASA, is a field-led organisation that works with rural communities, especially smallholder and tribal farmers, to help them build steady and sustainable farm-based livelihoods. Our teams are right where they are needed most: out in the fields, working side by side with farmers. The aim is simple: stronger farming systems, better incomes and a life of dignity for every family we support.

Our impact

Villages
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Villages covered

Families
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Families supported

Water Conservation
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Hectares treated for soil & water conservation

Irrigation
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Hectares of irrigation potential created

Agricultural Practices
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Farmers adopted good agricultural practices

Vegetable Gardens
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Vegetable gardens established

Organic Cultivation
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Farmers adopted organic cultivation

Responsible Cropping
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Farmers practising responsible cropping

Agroforestry
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Trees planted on farms under agroforestry

FPO
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FPOs formed with 72,877 members

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Vision

Empowering communities with sustainable livelihoods through inclusive participation, local institutional development and gender equity

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Mission

Ensuring livelihoods of poor people by providing developmental services, in particular through natural resources development.

Core Values

ASA's development approach is grounded in participatory action at the community level, with a strong focus on securing sustainable livelihoods. Central to its mission is the empowerment of communities through intensive, people-led processes in natural resource management and the strengthening of local institutions. The organisation places particular emphasis on reaching the poor and advancing gender equity by actively engaging women in all aspects of its work.

Livelihood enhancement model for regenerative future

ASA's foundational framework, the Regenerative Agriculture Production Landscape, is a jurisdictional approach that integrates people, nature, and economy to build sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystems.

Rooted in the principles of 5 J's — Jamin (Land), Jal (Water), Jungle (Vegetation), Janwar (Livestock) and Jan (Human) — the model fosters ecological restoration, strengthens community resilience, and enables responsible business engagement.

This approach is actualised through ASA's Livelihood Enhancement Model, which empowers smallholder and tribal communities by ensuring:

  • Equitable access to natural resources, opportunities, and decision-making
  • Sustainable asset creation at the family and community level
  • Robust local institutions for collective action and long-term support
  • End-to-end solutions from production to market linkage
  • Continuous technical guidance for adaptive and climate-resilient practices.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities, ASA's model not only enhances productivity but also transforms rural livelihoods, especially for marginalised groups, ensuring inclusive and evergreen growth.

Our Partners

ASA Footprint Map

Expanding Our Footprint

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Voices from the Field

Smt. Asha Marandi

Smt. Asha Marandi

Pagradih village, Jamtara district, Jharkhand

"For years, I farmed the same way: using chemicals, hoping for one good harvest and then watching the soil weaken and my income disappear again. After joining an Organic Producer Group supported by ASA, I learnt simple practices that slowly brought life back into my soil. A dug well built with help from ASA changed everything for us. Now I have water throughout the year, my crops are healthier and I earn nearly ₹1.5 lakh annually."

Smt. Sheela Kumari Tirkey

Smt. Sheela Kumari Tirkey

Bejora village, Surgauja district, Chhattisgarh

"We once earned only ₹39,000 a year from acres of rainfed land. After Kharif, everything would dry up and we had no choice but to wait for the next season. In 2024, ASA helped us install a shallow borewell and for the first time we had water when we needed it. I tried seed production and earned ₹34,000 from bitter gourd and ₹67,000 from pumpkin – all from just half an acre. With irrigation now in place, we grow paddy and wheat for our home."

Smt. Bana Bai

Smt. Bana Bai

Gulwat village, Alirajpur district, Madhya Pradesh

"My husband and I used chemical fertilisers for years because we didn't know any other way. Our turning point came when we joined an Organic Producer Group and attended training sessions by ASA. We learnt how to make natural inputs and take care of our soil properly. Within a year, our yields grew by 40%, our costs came down by 30% and our income doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000. The best part is that 10 other farmers in our village have now shifted to organic farming after seeing our fields."

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Awards & Recognition

ASA's work in the development sector has been recognised across many platforms, earning awards and nominations from both union and state policy-making bodies. ASA-supported community institutions have also been celebrated for their outstanding work, receiving honours of their own along the way.

CSR Universe Climate Action Award 2025
2025

CSR Universe Climate Action and Sustainability Award for Excellence in Water Conservation at CASCA.

ICC Social Impact Award 2025
2025

Jury Choice Award at the 7th Indian Chamber of Commerce Social Impact Awards in the 'Large Project for Environmental Sustainability' category.

Best Agri-Institution Award 2025
2025

'Best Agri-Institution Award' at the FPO Conclave and Agri Awards, organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Best Women-Led FPO Award 2025
2025

The 'Best Women-Led FPO Award' was conferred upon Ambadla Mahila Kisan Producer Company Limited by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Excellence in Organic Farming Award 2025
2025

The 'Excellence in Organic Farming Award' was given to Urjaily Tribal Farmer Producer Organisation Limited by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Development Catalyst Award
2024

Development Catalyst 2.0 Award for '20 Years of Commitment to Strengthening Communities,' conferred by ACCESS Development Services.

Certificate of Excellence
2024

Certificate of Excellence awarded to the Bara Jhinjkarpati Utkarsh Krishi Bagwan Swawlambhi Sahkari Samiti Limited at the Sahkar Bharti FPO Pakhwada, Patna.

Full Awards Archive