What Development Support Centre ✅ does

Development Support Centre (DSC) is an Indian non-profit resource organization founded in 1994 by Late Shri Anil C. Shah and headquartered in Bopal, Ahmedabad. DSC provides knowledge-based support to NGOs, government agencies, community-based organizations, and corporate CSR programs in Participatory Natural Resource Management (PNRM) and sustainable livelihoods. Its core methodologies include Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), Integrated Watershed Management (IWMP), Participatory Groundwater Management (PGWM), and an end-to-end FPO incubation model. DSC operates across 700+ villages and 18 districts in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, reaching approximately 1.20 lakh households, 1,10,000 hectares under PIM, and 28,700 hectares under IWMP. It has facilitated 329 Water User Associations, 550+ Women Self Help Groups, and incubated five Farmer Producer Organizations/Cooperatives including Krushidhan Producer Company, Ekta F&V Cooperative, Narmada Valley FPC, and Adimjati Gramoday FPC.

DSC's revenue model is grant- and donation-based rather than commercial. It receives financial support from anchor donors including Ford Foundation, Axis Bank Foundation, HDFC Parivartan, IKEA Trading (Better Cotton Initiative), NABARD, RBS Foundation India, and Aga Khan Foundation, alongside government contracts with WALMI, GSWMA, and RGJGM. The organization holds formal designations as a training institute from the Ministry of Rural Development (since 1995), the Government of Gujarat (since 1999 for watershed, plus PIM recognition), and CAPART (one of seven national TSVOs). Knowledge products include 790+ training programs, 98+ research papers, and IEC materials in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, and English.

DSC's governance includes a Governing Board chaired by Shri O.P. Rawat (former Chief Election Commissioner of India) with Prof Tushaar Shah (IWMI), Dr. Indira Hirway, Ms. Sandra Shroff, and Mr. Jacob Ninan (ex-Axis Bank Foundation CEO) among others. DSC Foundation, established in March 2012 as a Section 25 Company, serves as a separate vehicle for know-how dissemination, while Gujpro (26 FPO consortium) and Sajjata Sangh (22-NGO network) function as the operational ecosystem layer. In 2024, DSC released 'Silver Springs of Sustainability' commemorating 30 years of operations.

Name

Development Support Centre ✅

Legal name

Development Support Centre

Website

https://dscindia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Development Support Centre is an Indian non-profit resource organization founded in 1994 that provides knowledge-based support in Participatory Natural Resource Management and sustainable livelihoods to NGOs, government agencies, CBOs, and corporate CSR programs across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Rural Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

Keywords

• Natural resource management
• Watershed development programs
• Farmer producer organizations
• Irrigation management services
• Rural livelihood programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahmedabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Development Support Centre (DSC) is a non-profit resource organization that provides knowledge-based support to NGOs, government agencies, corporate CSRs, and community-based organizations in Participatory Natural Resource Management (PNRM) and sustainable livelihoods. Its core offerings include facilitating Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), Watershed Development, Agricultural Productivity Enhancement, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) incubation, and training & capacity building programs for stakeholders across western India.

Product overview

Development Support Centre is a resource organization offering a portfolio of knowledge-based services for sustainable livelihoods and participatory natural resource management. The core offerings include Krushidhan Producer Company (FPO for agricultural input supply and market linkages), Training & Capacity Building services, Research & Documentation, and IEC Materials development. These products work together to provide end-to-end support to farmers and community organizations across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, covering Participatory Irrigation Management, Watershed Development, and Agricultural Productivity Enhancement programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sajjata Sangh: Network of NGOs involved in promoting NRM programs in Gujarat, with 22 NGOs and CSRs as members. Involved in policy advocacy and promoting innovations in rainfed agriculture.
• DSC Foundation
• Gujpro

Products and services

• Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Programme Implements PIM programmes facilitating water user associations, providing training to farmers and irrigation officials, and supporting policy development for participatory irrigation management across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, covering 1,10,000 hectares under six major and two medium irrigation projects.
• Watershed Development Projects Facilitates watershed development programmes including Indo German Watershed Development Projects (IGWDP), Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP), and community-based watershed associations covering over 28,700 hectares.
• Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (LEPNRM) Implements livelihood enhancement programmes focusing on cost reduction, risk mitigation, productivity increase, value addition, and market linkages. Covers vermicompost production, seed processing, contract farming, and micro irrigation systems.
• Krushidhan Producer Company Ltd (KPCL) A Farmer Producer Company that provides input supply, value addition, and market linkage services to farmers in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Offers agricultural inputs through agro-outlets and promotes local and long value chains.
• Training & Capacity Building Services Provides training programmes, workshops, and exposure visits on participatory irrigation management, watershed development, and agricultural productivity enhancement. Conducts Basic Training Course (BTC) and specialized training programmes for NGO members, government functionaries, and villagers.
• Research & Documentation Services Conducts research studies on watershed development, participatory irrigation management, agricultural productivity, drinking water, and joint forest management. Documents best practices, impact assessments, and thematic studies at state and national level.
• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials Develops audio-video and printed materials including posters, booklets, video films, and publications on PNRM and livelihood in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, and English. Has produced 51 print formats, 7 video films, and publishes newsletters including 'Divadandi'.
• Mobile Phone SMS Advisory Services Provides mobile phone voice and text SMS services to over 4,000 lead farmers for crop advisory, weather forecasting, agriculture produce market information, government scheme announcements, and capacity building programme notifications.
• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Incubation Promotes and incubates FPOs including The Adimjati Gramoday Farmer Producer Company Ltd., The Narmada Valley Farmer Producer Company, The Ekta Fruits and Vegetable Producer Cooperative Ltd., and Krushidhan Producer Company Ltd.

Quantifiable outcome

• 329 Water User Associations facilitated with one branch and two project level federations
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IKEA Trading (Hong-Kong) LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for better cotton initiative - assists DSC in extension of best crop practices, technical know-how, and bulk procurement of cotton from farmers in Visnagar and Dhari areas.
• Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), AnandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with WALMI for providing support to promote PIM in selected irrigation projects of Gujarat state.
• Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency (GSWMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government agency collaborating with DSC for watershed development programs and training of village functionaries.
• Rajiv Gandhi Jal-Grahan Mission (RGJGM), BhopalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMadhya Pradesh government mission collaborating with DSC for training and capacity building activities in the state.
• Sajjata SanghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 22 NGOs and CSRs initiated by DSC for mutual learning, capacity building, and policy advocacy in participatory NRM in Gujarat.
• Gujpro (Gujarat Farmer Producer Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState level consortium of Farmer Producer Companies headquartered at DSC Ahmedabad to promote farmer-led agri-business with 26 member companies.
• Gujarat Agricultural University and Academic InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with IRMA, IIM-Ahmedabad, AAU for student exposure visits and academic research partnerships.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action): India-based NGO that promotes sustainable rural livelihoods through community institutions, watershed development, and women's SHG mobilization. Directly comparable to DSC in operating model, geographic focus (central and western India), and NGO resource-organization positioning.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: Pune-headquartered NGO working on livestock, watershed, agriculture, and rural livelihoods across multiple Indian states. Comparable to DSC in its multi-state rural development footprint, integrated NRM-agriculture-livelihood approach, and farmer-producer institution focus.
• MYRADA: Karnataka-based resource organization working on institution-building, watershed, and livelihood programs with strong emphasis on CBOs and FPOs. Directly comparable to DSC's participatory NRM, CBO capacity-building, and FPO incubation focus.
• Action for Food Production (AFPRO): New Delhi-headquartered NGO focused on water resources, watershed, and food security in rural India. Comparable to DSC's water-and-agriculture integrated rural development mandate across multiple states.
• M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF): Chennai-based research and development NGO working on food security, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods. Comparable to DSC's research orientation, FPO ecosystem development, and rural knowledge-product dissemination.
• Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India): Implements participatory rural development, watershed management, and livelihoods in Gujarat, MP, Bihar, and other states. Highly comparable to DSC given overlapping geographies, participatory NRM methodology, and historical links via founder Anil Shah's AKRSP background.
• WaterAid India: India arm of WaterAid focused on WASH, water security, and community-managed water systems. Comparable to DSC's community-based water and groundwater management programs and policy advocacy in rural India.

Broad incumbents

• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development): India's apex rural and agricultural development finance institution. NABARD is both a major DSC funder and a broader ecosystem player; comparable as a partner/incumbent in watershed, FPO promotion, and tribal development across India.

Regional players

• Indian Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM): Network organization promoting participatory irrigation management policies and practice across South Asia. DSC's board member Mohan Sharma is an INPIM governing board member, indicating close peer-level collaboration in the same PIM ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA): Academic and applied-research institution focused on rural management, FPOs, and NRM, with strong Gujarat/Maharashtra ties. Adjacent to DSC as a knowledge partner and training resource, with overlapping research themes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DSCINDIA1994
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/dscahmedabad
• Facebookfacebook.com/dscindia.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/dscindia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/development-support-centre

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Development Support Centre ✅