AKRSP-India
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) is a non-profit rural development organization operating across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. It organizes marginalized rural communities into self-reliant institutions and delivers agriculture, water, renewable energy, and vocational skills programs reaching over 3.5 million people.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersAhmadabad, Gujarat, India
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AKRSP-India does
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) — AKRSP-India — is a non-denominational, non-profit development organization founded in 1983 under the vision of His Highness the Aga Khan and operating as a programme of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The organization works as a catalyst for the betterment of rural communities by organizing them into self-reliant community-based institutions and providing direct professional support across four Indian states: Gujarat (15 districts, 2,380 villages), Madhya Pradesh (6 districts, 399 villages), Bihar (5 districts, 456 villages), and Maharashtra (1 district, 20 villages). It has impacted over 3.5 million lives, with more than 80% of households drawn from marginalized communities (tribals, dalits, minorities) and over 60% women beneficiaries.
AKRSP-India's programme architecture rests on three pillars: Agriculture and Climate Resilience (irrigation, renewable energy, livestock, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management), Work and Enterprise under the "Yuva Junction" brand (NSDC-certified vocational skills training and placements for rural youth), and Community Institutions (SHGs, FPOs, Panchayat capacity-building, financial inclusion). Its methodological portfolio includes several award-recognized innovations: the Amrit Krishi conservation-farming approach (organic compost and bio-pesticide inputs, World Bank Development Marketplace Award 2012), the Miyawaki-method Micro-Forests programme (dense native plantations, 10x faster growth), the Community Owned Mini Drinking Water Supply System (COMDWSS) for ultra-poor hamlets, and a participatory Mangrove Restoration model targeting ~200 Mg CO2e per hectare of blue carbon sequestration. Distribution is community-led via 37,882 village institutions and 15,999 women's institutions.
The organization employs more than 400 development professionals and is funded by a diversified base of 50+ national and international donors including the Aga Khan Foundation, Gates Foundation, Tata Trusts, NABARD, CIFF, Ford Foundation, European Commission, WaterAid, and UNICEF. AKRSP-India does not charge beneficiaries for its core services; revenue mechanics rest on grant funding, government resource leveraging, community contributions, and an internal endowment fund. No commercial revenue, equity structure, or stock exchange listing applies, and the entity is governed by a professional Indian board under the AKDN umbrella.
AKRSP-India firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AKRSP-India
- Legal name
- Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India)
- Website
- https://akrspindia.org.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) is a non-profit rural development organization operating across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. It organizes marginalized rural communities into self-reliant institutions and delivers agriculture, water, renewable energy, and vocational skills programs reaching over 3.5 million people.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AKRSP-India industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Development Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Irrigation, Water & Energy Efficiency Operations Advisory (AFACAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Rights, Permitting & Compliance Services (Allocations, Reporting) (AFACAFAM), Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH)
Keywords
Where AKRSP-India is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ahmadabad, Gujarat
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices7 records
Markets served
AKRSP-India business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donor Funding: AKRSP(I) receives funding from national and international development funding agencies. The organisation has long-term partnerships with over 50 donor organisations including Aga Khan Foundation, Gates Foundation, Tata Trusts, NABARD, and various corporate foundations.
- Government Partnerships and Resource Leveraging: Strong partnerships with national and state government agencies; leveraging large-scale government resources available for poorest communities. Communities are encouraged to generate their own resources in the form of savings and contributions in kind and cash.
- Endowment Fund: AKRSP(I) has established an endowment fund. Returns from this fund are used for strengthening systems and processes, meeting core costs of institution, and piloting innovations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
AKRSP-India product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AKRSP-India (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India) is a non-denominational, non-government development organization that delivers community development programs to rural households across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. Its portfolio centers on three pillars — Agriculture Development (climate-resilient farming, irrigation, renewable energy, natural resources), Work and Enterprise (Yuva Junction skills and livelihoods program for rural youth), and Community Institutions (SHGs, village organizations, Panchayat capacity building) — alongside innovations such as Amrit Krishi, Miyawaki micro-forests, Mangrove Ecosystem Regeneration, and Community Owned Drinking Water Supply Systems.
Product overview
AKRSP-India operates as a non-technology NGO offering community development programs organized around three core pillars: Agriculture and Climate Resilience, Work and Enterprise, and Community Institutions. The program portfolio includes direct interventions (Agriculture Development, Yuva Junction skills program, Natural Resources Management, Irrigation, Renewable Energy, Livestock Development, Education, Drinking Water, Financial Inclusion, Hygiene and Nutrition) alongside innovative approaches (Micro-Forests using Miyawaki technique, Mangrove Ecosystem Regeneration, Amrit Krishi organic farming, Participatory Irrigation Management, Community Owned Drinking Water Schemes, and Participatory Rural Appraisal). These programs work in concert—agricultural interventions integrate with water management and renewable energy, skills development feeds into enterprise creation, and community institution-building underpins all program sustainability. Programs are delivered through village-level community-based organizations with professional field staff support across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Yuva Junction: Work and enterprise programme empowering rural youth through non-farm employment opportunities including vocational skills training, job placement, and entrepreneurship development. Courses certified by NSDC.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3.5 million people impacted from marginalised sections of society
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use AKRSP-India
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
AKRSP-India technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
AKRSP-India partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Government of India and State GovernmentscorePartnerships with national and state government agencies for leveraging large-scale government resources for rural communities. Strong belief in partnering with government agencies.
- Aga Khan Development NetworkcoreAKRSP(I) is a programme of AKDN which works in over 30 countries. Provides institutional framework, brand identity, and strategic guidance.
- Saline Area Vitalization Enterprise Limited (SAVE)majorTechnical partner for mangrove plantation and restoration providing expertise and capacity building for mangrove plantation, restoration, protection, and management.
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)majorCertifying body for Yuva Junction vocational skills training programmes covering Retail, BPO, Computer Hardware, Nursing, Beauty and Wellness, and sewing.
- Gramya Vikas TrustminorLocal NGO connecting AKRSP(I) with women's SHGs for mangrove plantation activities in Gujarat.
- Development Support Centre (DSC)majorCollaborated on Participatory Irrigation Management initiatives in Gujarat and contributed to PIM Act of 2004/2007.
- Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO)majorGovernment organisation in Gujarat creating special purpose vehicles for drinking water management.
- Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium (SFAC)minorGovernment consortium for supporting Farmer Producer Organisations.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AKRSP-India competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action): Central Indian rural livelihoods NGO working with smallholder farmers, tribal communities, and women's groups on sustainable agriculture and value-chain interventions. Comparable in community institution-building, FPO promotion, and tribal-focused programming.
- WOTR (Watershed Organisation Trust): India-based non-profit specializing in watershed development, climate-resilient agriculture, and participatory natural resource management across drought-prone regions. Strong overlap with AKRSP-I's irrigation, watershed, and climate adaptation work.
- PRADAN: Professional Assistance for Development Action is one of India's leading livelihoods-focused NGOs operating across multiple states with similar community mobilization, women's SHG promotion, and sustainable agriculture interventions. Directly comparable in target population (rural poor), approach (participatory), and program mix.
- BAIF Development Research Foundation: Pioneer Indian development foundation working on livestock development, sustainable agriculture, and watershed management with similar pan-Indian geographic reach. Highly comparable in livestock (goat, dairy), agriculture, and natural resource management program design.
- Seva Mandir: Rajasthan-based rural development NGO working with tribal communities on natural resource management, livelihoods, education, and women's empowerment. Comparable methodology (participatory), target population (tribal/remote), and program portfolio (NRM, agriculture, community institutions).
- SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association): Large women's empowerment organization with deep rural presence organizing women into cooperatives, SHGs, and producer groups for livelihood improvement. Comparable focus on women's economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and rural enterprise development.
Others
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Public-private partnership organization under Ministry of Skill Development that certifies Yuva Junction's vocational training programs. Ecosystem enabler and partner in AKRSP-I's skill development vertical rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Aga Khan Foundation (India): Sister organization within the Aga Khan Development Network operating with broader mandate (health, education, culture) in addition to rural development. Directly comparable donor ecosystem and operational philosophy though wider portfolio.
- Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI): Tata Trusts-supported livelihood initiative working across tribal belts of eastern and central India on similar themes (agriculture, NRM, women's empowerment). Sister-ecosystem peer with similar donor backing and program philosophy.
Regional players
- Welthungerhilfe (India office): German development NGO implementing rural livelihoods, food security, and WASH programs in India through local partners. Comparable program mix and donor-funded operating model; differs as a foreign-headquartered NGO with localized execution.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AKRSP-India social profiles
Digital presenceAKRSP-India compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
AKRSP-India financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AKRSP-India leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
AKRSP-India funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AKRSP-India M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AKRSP-India
What does AKRSP-India do?
AKRSP-India (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India) is a non-denominational, non-government development organization that delivers community development programs to rural households across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. Its portfolio centers on three pillars — Agriculture Development (climate-resilient farming, irrigation, renewable energy, natural resources), Work and Enterprise (Yuva Junction skills and livelihoods program for rural youth), and Community Institutions (SHGs, village organizations, Panchayat capacity building) — alongside innovations such as Amrit Krishi, Miyawaki micro-forests, Mangrove Ecosystem Regeneration, and Community Owned Drinking Water Supply Systems.
Is AKRSP-India a public or private company?
AKRSP-India is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AKRSP-India founded?
AKRSP-India was founded in 1983. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is AKRSP-India based?
AKRSP-India is headquartered in Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India, in the Asia region.
How does AKRSP-India make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donor Funding is the primary driver. The others are government Partnerships and Resource Leveraging and endowment Fund.
Who are AKRSP-India's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action), WOTR (Watershed Organisation Trust), PRADAN, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Seva Mandir and SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association). National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Aga Khan Foundation (India) and Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI). Welthungerhilfe (India office) is listed as a regional player.
Does AKRSP-India have an API?
No public API is recorded for AKRSP-India.
What industry is AKRSP-India in?
AKRSP-India's product category is Rural Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFACAJAM, Irrigation, Water & Energy Efficiency Operations Advisory, with a secondary code of AFACAFAM, Water Rights, Permitting & Compliance Services (Allocations, Reporting). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.