BAIF Development Research Foundation, a civil society organization, based on Gandhian principles of Sarvodaya, was founded in 1967, by Late Dr. Manibhai Desai. Apolitical, secular, professionally managed and committed to inclusive development through promotion of modern technologies at the grassroots, the aim is to generate year-round employment and food security through multi-disciplinary development programmes making sustainable use of locally available natural resources. Livestock development through genetic improvement and dairy husbandry, conservation and efficient use of water resources, improved soil productivity through tree-based farming and climate resilient agriculture, have enabled 4.38 million socio-economically deprived families from 98,000 villages of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Odisha and Jharkhand, to enjoy sustainable livelihood. The field programmes are implemented by BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD), an Associate of BAIF, for efficient coordination of the operations in West, South, North and East Regions.

Breeding over five million cattle and buffaloes, production of milk worth Rs.17500 crores per annum, development of 3.5 lakh ha agricultural lands under 728 watersheds, establishment of 81 million fruit and forestry trees on 83000 ha of denuded lands, while rehabilitating over 2 lakh tribal families in their own environs, and sequestrating over 1.75 million tons of carbon dioxide have been the notable outcomes. BAIF’s Central Research Station, spread over 200 ha at Urulikanchan near Pune, is engaged in problem-oriented research, development of appropriate rural technologies, training and production of critical inputs for improving agricultural production.

BAIF is implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects such as desert land development for silvipasture and drought tolerant fruit crops, improved soil health through organic farming, native germplasm conservation of food crops and livestock, micro-irrigation and solar powered irrigation devices, introduction of farm machineries, and skills development of women farmers, through a professional team of 6406 employees and over 1000 volunteers. Over 3500 women Self Help Groups, are strengthening agricultural value chains and converging with other development programmes. VAPCOL, an apex Farmers' Producer Company engaged in food processing and marketing of fresh and processed fruits, nuts and vegetables, has a membership base of 54 producer organizations and 40,000 farmers. BABTPL, a fully owned subsidiary company, produces and distributes mineral mixtures, feed supplements and seeds of fodder and food crops.

Overwhelming support from 80 reputed corporates, strongly inclined towards social development, Government of India, State Governments, other donors and supporters and faith of the participant families to guide them from darkness to light, are the strengths of this unique organization against the canvas of rural India.

BAIF's Vision is to build a self reliant rural society assured of food security, safe drinking water, good health, gender equity, low child mortality,literacy,high moral values and clean environment.

BAIF's Mission is to create opportunities of gainful self-employment for the rural families, especially disadvantaged sections, ensuring sustainable livelihood, enriched environment, improved quality of life and good human values.

• More than 5 decades of on ground experience of implementing multi sectoral, region and context specific programs at a scale covering 12 states and 320 districts
• Highly trained and skilled workforce having multi disciplinary program background and work experience (SMEs: 8, Management executives: 75, Managers: 333, Field Supervisors: 388 and associates: 1049).
• Focus on strong applied and action oriented Research for development. Thrust on technology backstopping and introduction of cutting edge technologies
• Separate department of CMVC (Central Monitoring and Vigilance Cell) for internal project monitoring 
• Adoption of the latest information and communications technology (ICT) tools to strengthen its field based initiatives. Work on multiple ICT platforms has been taken up to develop a greater connect with people on the ground.
• Developing e-learning modules on topics of its expertise to offer them through a Learning Management System (LMS).
• Bringing professionalism in development programs through dynamic cadre from reputed management institutes like IIT - Bombay,IRMA,TISS,XIMB,GBPUAT,IIFM,XSRM and IIM.

BAIF is reputed Civil Society Organization having nationwide presence and known for its contribution in social sector for almost 5 decades now. It has vast on ground presence in more than 1 lakh villages across 12 different states of India . Most of it’s presence is in remote and needy regions of India . BAIF also has presence in almost 55 Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI AYOG, GoI. With its expertise in implementing multi disciplinary programmes for more than five decades through promotion of environment-friendly technologies and an extensive field network spread over 93,000 villages in 12 states, BAIF is at an advantageous position to associate with many corporates to take up sustainable development activities and to fulfil CSR and development goals. Currently BAIF has ongoing CSR project with around 80 different Corporate houses and implementing more than 115 multidisciplinary projects across 12 states of India. CSR has around 35% of the share in BAIF’s annual budget.BAIF is committed to Sustainable Rural Development since Five Decades with a proven track record of success. Partnering with BAIF will be a march towards building a progressive society and a Prosperous Nation.