Aerial view of a drum check dam holding water in a green valley
Drum check dam, Sonebhadra

VIDHAN · Way to Develop Rural India

Where water stays, villages grow.

Since 2014, VIDHAN has worked with tribal and farming families of the Vindhyan region to save water, restore land and build lasting livelihoods.

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A woman farmer smiling among mango leaves in her orchard
2014working since

Who We Are

VIDHAN is a grassroots organisation that promotes water conservation, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture to strengthen rural livelihoods and build climate-resilient communities.

We believe development works best when communities lead it. We support women, youth and farmers with skills, livelihood support and strong village institutions, so that they can take charge of their own development.

Vision

A peaceful and just society built on good citizenship, equity, freedom and integrity, where people live with dignity in harmony with nature, culture and shared resources.

Mission

  • Conserve soil, water and natural resources
  • Promote sustainable agriculture
  • Empower communities through livelihoods
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Our impact

  • 7.3 billion litres of water conserved every year
  • 3,200 hectares of land restored
  • 5,000+ farmers using improved practices
  • 1,500+ orchards established
  • 500+ women trained every year

Figures from VIDHAN's programme records.

What we do

Four ways we work with villages

Aerial view of a farm pond among fields

Natural Resource Management

Farm ponds, check dams and field bunds that hold rainwater where it falls.

7.3 billion litres conserved a year · 3,200 ha restored

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A farmer holding up his harvest in a green field

Agriculture Development

Better seeds, short-duration crops, organic inputs and irrigation support.

5,000+ farmers adopting improved practices

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A farmer tending a fruiting mango tree

Livelihood Development

Mango and guava orchards, goat rearing and nurseries that add a steady second income.

1,500+ orchard models

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Women attending a training session in a hall

Women Empowerment

Self-help groups, skill training and leadership for women in village institutions.

500+ women trained every year

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Our Presence

Rooted in Sonebhadra and Mirzapur in the Vindhyan hills, with work reaching villages in four states.

Uttar PradeshMadhya PradeshChhattisgarhJharkhand Sikhar, Mirzapur Khajuri & Chapki Renukoot (Head office)
Locations are approximate. District names to be added.
  • 4States
  • 5Districts
  • 10Blocks
  • 46Gram Panchayats
  • 82Villages
  • 6,200Households
  • 15,000+People

States: Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Voices from the field

Breaking the cycle of poverty with orchards

Devshah Gond in his mango orchard
For years my family struggled with seasonal farming. When VIDHAN introduced orchard farming, we planted mango and guava. Today we have a steady income, our children go to school without worry, and we no longer live in fear of hunger.
Devshah GondBhaktiniya Tola, Bodhadih

On the ground now

Our Projects

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  • A woman standing beside a young mango tree in her orchard
    Livelihood

    Orchard (wadi) development

    [Place to confirm] · [Partner to confirm]

  • A drum check dam holding water in a stream
    Water

    Watershed development

    [Place to confirm] · NABARD

  • Seedling beds under green shade nets
    Agriculture

    Community nursery

    [Place to confirm] · [Partner to confirm]

  • Goats outside a village home
    Livelihood

    Goat-based livelihoods

    [Place to confirm] · [Partner to confirm]

  • A woman farmer next to solar panels used for irrigation
    Agriculture

    Solar irrigation

    [Place to confirm] · [Partner to confirm]

Working together

Our Partners

  • Development Alternatives
  • Department of Horticulture
  • Tata Trusts
  • UltraTech Cement, Aditya Birla Group
  • LIC Housing Finance CSR
  • NABARD