The ASA Story

1995
  • An informal group of development professionals comes together to form ASA.
1996
  • ASA becomes a registered Society with its Head Office in Dahod, Gujarat.
  • ASA begins its first watershed projects in seven villages in Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh, supported by the DRDA.
1997
  • The Aga Khan Foundation engages ASA for institutional capacity-building and technical support in its ongoing NRM projects.
2000
  • ASA mobilises grant and food grain support and expands watershed work during three consecutive drought years in Jhabua and western Madhya Pradesh.
  • Two papers documenting ASA's experience are published by IIRR and DFID.
2001
  • Down to Earth features ASA's drought-proofing efforts in 'Saga of Successful People-Centric Efforts'.
  • ASA pilots a federation-based microfinance model in Jhabua district.
2002
  • The World Bank awards ASA action research projects on Participatory Monitoring and Learning in three World Bank-funded projects in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The Pani Yatra organised by CSE visits ASA's watershed project to observe community-led water conservation.
  • An impact evaluation by the Aga Khan Foundation recognises ASA as one of its best-performing partners.
2003
  • ASA expands its CBNRM portfolio by initiating Participatory Irrigation Management projects in Madhya Pradesh.
2004
  • ASA begins providing technical support on Participatory Varietal Selection and agribusiness promotion to the World Bank-supported MP DPIP across 14 districts.
  • Women's voting rights in Water Users' Associations and their participation in irrigation management are formally recognised.
  • ASA decides to shift its Head Office from Dahod to Bhopal.
2005
  • The Board of Trustees approves the establishment of a Microfinance Institute as a sister initiative to ASA.
2006
  • ASA sets up the MFI with detailed policy guidelines and operational manuals.
2008
  • ASA is adjudged the best mid-level NGO by the Nand and Jeet Khemka Foundation and Resource Alliance.
2008-09
  • ASA publishes its first producers' manual on FPOs.
  • ASA-promoted FPOs begin gaining visibility, inspiring development agencies across India.
2009
  • Ashis Mondal, then Director of ASA, becomes a member of the global Round Table on Responsible Soy Association and continues for six years.
2010-12
  • ASA expands its programmes in Bihar and Jharkhand.
2012
  • The then-Director is nominated to the National Advisory Council.
  • His contribution leads to the formulation of national policy and implementation guidelines for FPOs, in which ASA's FPO manual is published verbatim.
  • He also contributes to the National Agroforestry Policy released in 2014.
2012-13
  • ASA expands its operations in Chhattisgarh.
2013
  • ASA develops its sustainable agriculture code, the Responsible Crop Initiative, popularly known as Jimmedar Kheti, which receives third-party validation.
  • The then-Director becomes a member of the Agriculture Technology Council, Government of India.
2014
  • ASA launches its organic farming programme under RCI, focusing on cotton.
2015
  • ASA begins digitising its administrative and programme functions, becoming one of the most system-driven and digitally enabled NGOs in the sector.
2016
  • ASA and ASA-promoted FPOs receive several national and regional awards from government and non-government bodies.
2018
  • ASA frames its third five-year strategic plan.
2020
  • ASA expands operations to Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
2021-23
  • ASA joins the global coalition 'Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative', promoting climate-resilient water conservation and agricultural practices for sustainable and green growth.
2024
  • G. Jayanthi becomes the Director of ASA

The ASA Story

ASA began its journey in May 1996 with a small watershed project in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. It was founded by Mr. Ashis Mondal and Ms. G. Jayanthi, driven by a shared belief that lasting change in rural areas must begin with communities themselves. Inspired by the community-led rainwater harvesting work of the N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation in Gujarat, led by Late Shri Harnath Jagawat, ASA set out to adapt this approach in Jhabua, one of the most remote and tribal-dominated districts of the state. The focus was simple yet powerful: help communities secure water and rebuild their relationship with land. Over time, ASA’s work expanded beyond water conservation to include sustainable agriculture and market linkages for smallholder farmers. This evolution shaped an integrated livelihoods model that combines natural resource restoration with improved farming practices, stronger community institutions and better access to markets.

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Governance

At ASA, a strong governance framework guides our strategic direction, shapes policies and ensures effective resource mobilisation. The Board oversees transparency, accountability and decision-making across all programmes.

Ms. Prema Gera

Ms. Prema Gera

Trustee
Ms. G. Jayanthi

Ms. G. Jayanthi

Director & Founder Trustee
Mr. Ashis Mondal

Mr. Ashis Mondal

Founder Trustee
Mr. Binoy Acharya

Mr. Binoy Acharya

Trustee
Mr. Jacob Ninan

Mr. Jacob Ninan

Trustee
Ms. Soma Dutta

Ms. Soma Dutta

Trustee
Mr. Subrata Dasgupta

Mr. Subrata Dasgupta

Trustee
Mr. Subraya Shankar Bhat

Mr. Subraya S. Bhat

Trustee
Ms. Smita Mohanty

Ms. Smita Mohanty

Trustee
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Ms. Prema Gera

Ms. Prema Gera

Trustee

A former UN official, Ms Gera served in various capacities from 2002 to 2013, including Assistant Country Director and Head of the Poverty Programme at UNDP India. With over 25 years of experience, she has worked extensively in social mobilisation, rural development and women's empowerment, with deep involvement in programme design, management and policy advocacy.

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Ms. G. Jayanthi

Ms. G. Jayanthi

Director and Founder Trustee

Jayanthi, one of the founding members of ASA, has over three decades of experience in development work, particularly in human resource management and development communication. An alumna of IIFM, Bhopal, she has played a key role in promoting livelihoods for smallholders through natural resource management, advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening smallholder organisations for agribusiness. Outside of work, Jayanthi enjoys travelling, trekking, reading and cooking.

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Mr. Ashis Mondal

Mr. Ashis Mondal

Founder Trustee

Founder Director of ASA and Managing Director of Ploughman Agro Private Limited, Ashis has over 30 years of experience in NRM and regenerative agriculture. His expertise spans smallholder agriculture, non-profit management and building farmer organisations for value chain integration. He has served on national and international advisory bodies, including the National Advisory Council.

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Mr. Binoy Acharya

Mr. Binoy Acharya

Trustee

Founder Director of UNNATI, Binoy is a researcher and public educator focused on social inclusion and democratic local governance. For over two decades, he has worked with movements and forums related to Dalit rights, gender and decentralised governance. He has served on ASA's Board since 2007.

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Mr. Jacob Ninan

Mr. Jacob Ninan

Trustee

Former Executive Trustee and CEO of Axis Bank Foundation, Jacob continues to mentor NGOs on strategy, fundraising and implementation. He spent four decades in banking, including senior roles at Axis Bank. Forbes listed him among the top 100 CEOs in the Middle East. He serves on several NGO boards and is an Aspire Fellow.

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Ms. Soma Dutta

Ms. Soma Dutta

Trustee

A postgraduate from IRMA, Soma has worked for about 30 years on energy and sustainable development with a strong gender focus. She works as an independent consultant with national and international agencies across Asia and Africa, and currently leads UNDP's rural renewable energy initiative. She has been an ASA Board member since 2009.

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Mr. Subrata Dasgupta

Mr. Subrata Dasgupta

Trustee

With over 30 years in the IT and financial sectors, Subrata brings expertise in financial systems including retail banking, microfinance, stock exchange operations and custodial services. A former Associate Director for IBM's India/South Asia region, he now works as an independent consultant. He joined the ASA Board in 2015.

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Ms. Smita Mohanty

Ms. Smita Mohanty

Trustee

Ms. Smita Mohanty brings over 30 years in the development sector, specialising in HR and organisation development. She spent nearly two decades in leadership roles at PRADAN, anchoring the HR function and designing its systems for recruitment, review and reflection, staff development and gender equity. She is a promoter of Cognisphere Solutions Limited, a founder member of the Institute for Group Facilitation, a director at Amazon Infratrade, and holds board positions with Udyogini and SARAL Services. As an OD consultant and group-process facilitator, she trains on personal growth, interpersonal effectiveness, selection and interviewing, POSH and team building.

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Mr. Subraya Shankar Bhat

Mr. Subraya Shankar Bhat

Trustee

CEO of Friends of Women's World Banking India, Mr Bhat has more than 36 years of experience in banking, with deep expertise in financial inclusion, agriculture lending and strategic planning. He sits on the boards of MYRADA and the Government of India's Educational Loan Guarantee Scheme. He holds a postgraduate degree in agricultural science and has trained at Kellogg School of Management, Frankfurt School and APRACA.

Leadership

ASA's leadership team brings together diverse skills, extensive field experience and a shared commitment to improving lives. ASA is a 350-member team with expertise across agri-engineering, soil and water engineering, agronomy, agribusiness, social work, seed technology, agroforestry, horticulture, finance, communication, MIS, IT, GIS and RST, accounts and human resources.

Ms. G. Jayanthi

Ms. G. Jayanthi

Director and Founder Trustee
Krishn Kumar Trivedi

Krishn Kumar Trivedi

Chief Operating Officer
Sheikh Moharram

Sheikh Moharram

Head-Programme Management Cell
Bhagwan Patel

Bhagwan Patel

Programme Director-Land & Water Resource Development
Samim Molla

Samim Molla

Programme Director-FPO Support
Tutu Sethi

Tutu Sethi

Programme Director-Odisha Operations
Deepnarayan Mishra

Deepnarayan Mishra

Program Director-HR
CA. Prabhajot Singh

CA Prabhajot Singh

Programme Director-Finance
Abhishek Mishra

Abhishek Mishra

Programme Director-Financial Inclusion
Soumen Dey

Soumen Dey

Senior Programme Manager - Jharkhand and Bihar
Dr. Varan Singh

Dr. Varan Singh

Programme Manager-Sustainable Agriculture
Anuja Shanker

Anuja Shanker

Manager-Communications
A.K. Krishnanandan Nair

A.K. Krishnanandan Nair

P&A and Legal Advisor
Sharad Saxena

Sharad Saxena

Senior Manager-IT
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Ms. G. Jayanthi

Ms. G. Jayanthi

Director and Founder Trustee

Jayanthi, one of the founding members of ASA, has over three decades of experience in development work, particularly in human resource management and development communication. An alumna of IIFM, Bhopal, she has played a key role in promoting livelihoods for smallholders through natural resource management, advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening smallholder organisations for agribusiness. Outside of work, Jayanthi enjoys travelling, trekking, reading and cooking.

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Krishn Kumar Trivedi

Krishn Kumar Trivedi

Chief Operating Officer

KK has over two decades of experience in community development across government, private and non-profit sectors. His expertise includes partnership development, multi-sectoral programme management, microfinance operations and institution building. He also leads the Regenerative Production Landscape Programme and livelihood financing initiatives. He is an alumnus of the Institute of Social Work, Indore.

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Sheikh Moharram

Sheikh Moharram

Assistant Director - Operations

A B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering with an MBA, Sheikh has over 25 years of experience in field implementation. He currently leads the Project Management Cell at ASA, ensuring smooth project coordination, reporting, data management and monitoring of targets and deliverables. He has extensive experience in project and partnership management, stakeholder coordination and CSR management, particularly in NRM-based livelihood projects. He is an IIM Lucknow alumnus.

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Soumen Dey

Soumen Dey

Senior Programme Manager - Jharkhand and Bihar

Soumen is a development professional with over 15 years of experience in rural livelihoods, community institution building, and sustainable development. He has worked extensively with rural and tribal communities, specializing in land and water resource development, livestock development, and livelihood promotion. With an MA and a D.V.Sc. & A.H. qualification, he has contributed to the design and expansion of successful livelihood models that strengthen community institutions and improve the economic resilience of small and marginal farmers. His work combines deep field experience, institutional understanding, and practical solutions to create lasting livelihood opportunities for rural communities.

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Bhagwan Patel

Bhagwan Patel

Programme Director - LWRD

An IIT Kharagpur alumnus, Bhagwan has worked extensively in rural development since 2005. He leads ASA's land and water resources development work across diverse agro-climatic regions.

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Samim Molla

Samim Molla

Programme Director - Training & FPO Support

A mechanical engineer with more than two decades of grassroots experience, Samim brings strong insights into NRM interventions. He plays a key role in strengthening the FPO ecosystem and mentoring development professionals.

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Tutu Sethi

Tutu Sethi

Programme Director - Odisha Operations

Tutu holds a diploma in Development Studies and has 21 years of experience in FPO promotion, institutional development and agri-value chain marketing. He oversees ASA's field operations in Odisha, develops training modules and supports microfinance services.

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A.K. Krishnanandan Nair

A.K. Krishnanandan Nair

Sr. Manager - P&A & Legal Advisor

Krishnanandan has over 30 years of experience across sectors, including automobile, food processing, sugar, education, media, construction and non-profits. His expertise spans administration, IR, legal, HR, sourcing, grievance redressal and policy development.

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Dr. Varan Singh

Dr. Varan Singh

Programme Manager - Sustainable Agriculture

Dr Singh holds a Master's degree and a doctorate in Agriculture. His work focuses on seed technology, plant breeding, pest management, organic farming, market-led production systems and strengthening women-led FPOs. He has also played an important role in skilling rural youth for agripreneurship.

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Abhishek Mishra

Abhishek Mishra

Senior Programme Manager-Financial Inclusion

Abhishek brings over 15 years of experience in financial inclusion, microfinance and rural transformation. At ASA, he leads the Financial Inclusion vertical, overseeing programmes across Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. His work focuses on building access to finance in ways that strengthen livelihoods, dignity and long-term opportunity for rural households. Outside work, Abhishek is an avid cricket enthusiast.

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Prabhajot Singh

Prabhajot Singh

Programme Manager-Finance

Prabhajot is a Chartered Accountant with over 4.5 years of experience in financial management, statutory audits and regulatory compliance. As Senior Manager – Finance at ASA, he oversees accounting functions, strengthens internal control systems and ensures statutory compliance across the organisation and its affiliated Farmer Producer Organisations. His role is central to maintaining financial discipline and transparency across ASA’s programmes..

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deepnarayan

Deepnarayan Mishra

Program Director-HR

Deepnarayan is a seasoned HR and Administration professional with over Two decades of experience across diverse sectors, including Biotechnology, Manufacturing, Pharma & Food, and Microfinance & Banking industires. At ASA, he brings strong expertise in HR generalist and administration functions, training and development, grievance redressal, employee relations, organizational development, and HR systems and process implementation. His experience in building people-centric systems and strengthening institutional processes significantly contributes to organizational effectiveness and workforce engagement.

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sharad

Sharad Saxena

Senior IT Manager

Sharad brings over 19 years of experience in IT, web application development and technology training. At ASA, he leads the organisation’s IT systems and works closely with teams to ensure that technology supports day-to-day programme operations smoothly and efficiently. From managing MIS platforms to improving digital systems and data processes, his work plays an important role in keeping things connected and functional across the organisation. He also enjoys helping teams become more comfortable with technology through hands-on training and practical support.

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Anuja

Anuja Shanker

Communications Manager

Anuja heads ASA’s Communications vertical and has spent over 12 years working across journalism, development and social impact organisations. She started her career in journalism and spent more than 8 years with The Times of India, a journey that shaped her love for stories, people and ground realities. Over the years, she has worked with organisations like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Project Concern International, Piramal Foundation and JEEVIKA. Outside work, she loves travelling, discovering new places and watching Hindi, Malayalam and Korean cinema.