School of Livelihood & Rural Development (SLRD)

What School of Livelihood & Rural Development (SLRD) does

School of Livelihood & Rural Development (SLRD) is an Indian non-profit sustainable development institution founded in 2002 and headquartered in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with a regional headquarters in Guwahati, Assam serving the Northeast. Operating across nine Indian states primarily in Northeast India, Central India, and Rajasthan, SLRD delivers integrated programs in climate action, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, watershed development, renewable energy, biodiversity restoration, biochar and carbon, clean cooking, FPO and livelihood support, green campus, and circular economy through ten intervention areas and four core initiatives (Mission Vistaar, SLRD-YesEarth, Bodhika, Sarva Jeevika). The organization serves smallholder and tribal farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations, self-help groups, CSR partners, and government agencies, working through field teams, training workshops, and partner-led programs with 100+ FPOs and 500,000+ beneficiaries reached over 23 years.

SLRD's technology backbone comprises Digital MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) for carbon projects, GIS-based watershed and agroforestry monitoring, plot-level geotagging, and the GAMSME DMRV field toolkit used as a credit-readiness screening layer for banks. Proprietary sub-brands include Farm Tiger (organic biofertilizers and biopesticides developed with Assam Agriculture University and ICAR-NEH), LivingRoots (sustainable fashion), and the flagship Guardians of the Green mission targeting 100 million native trees by 2030 with 2 million hectares of land restoration. Key multilateral and technical partnerships include UNDP SGP-07 (IVCEES project), TERI, SELCO Foundation, CSIR-CIMAP, ASTEC, ICAR-ATARI, ATMA, the Meghalaya Rural Bank (via GAMSME), and the Pollution Control Board Assam.

SLRD's revenue model is project-driven and multi-stream: (a) project grants and implementation fees from multilateral agencies (UNDP), state and central government departments, and CSR-funded programs; (b) professional services revenue from FPO strengthening, bankable documentation, market linkage, and co-investment in rural enterprise ventures; (c) carbon credit revenue from community-led agroforestry, biochar, and regenerative agriculture activities enabled by Digital MRV; and (d) service and partnership revenue from CSR implementer relationships. Distribution is direct-to-community via field teams and channel-based via multilateral, government, and CSR partnership channels, with no commercial pricing or retail product commercialization outside of Farm Tiger and LivingRoots brands.

Name

School of Livelihood & Rural Development (SLRD)

Legal name

School of Livelihood and Rural Development

Website

https://schooloflivelihood.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SLRD is an Indian non-profit sustainable development institution operating across nine states, delivering climate action, regenerative agriculture, and rural livelihood programs through Farmer Producer Organizations and community collectives, with technology-enabled carbon, watershed, and renewable energy interventions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Development and Rural Livelihood Services

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAD

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAGAI

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPADAJAH

Resilient Livelihoods & Climate-Smart Food Security

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Food Security & Nutrition Programs

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture programs
• Rural livelihood development
• Regenerative agriculture services
• Climate action consulting
• Carbon project development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bhopal

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Project Grants and Implementation: SLRD operates primarily as a project-driven non-profit organization, implementing climate action, sustainable agriculture, and rural development projects funded by multilateral agencies (UNDP), government programs, and CSR initiatives. Revenue comes from project implementation fees, program management, and delivery of development outcomes.
2. Carbon Credit Revenue: Community-led carbon projects generate carbon credit revenue through agroforestry, biochar, and regenerative agriculture activities. Digital MRV enables carbon accounting and linkage with carbon finance for communities.
3. CSR and Corporate Partnerships: Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships where companies fund SLRD's programs in climate action, watershed development, biodiversity restoration, and rural enterprise development in exchange for impact outcomes and environmental credits.
4. FPO and Rural Enterprise Development Services: SLRD provides services to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations including bankable documentation, market linkage, value addition planning, and enterprise development support, generating revenue through service fees and co-investment in enterprise ventures.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SLRD is a non-profit sustainable development institution that implements integrated climate action, regenerative agriculture, and rural livelihood programs across nine Indian states. It delivers these programs through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), self-help groups, and community collectives, covering agroforestry, watershed development, biochar, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and rural enterprise interventions. The organization also operates a Digital MRV platform for carbon project tracking and the Farm Tiger brand of biofertilizers and biopesticides developed for North East India.

Product overview

SLRD operates as a 360° sustainable development institution with a multi-initiative portfolio spanning climate action, regenerative agriculture, and rural livelihoods across India. The organization’s core structure includes four strategic initiatives: Mission Vistaar (sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity), SLRD-YesEarth (integrated climate action platform), Bodhika (innovation initiative), and Sarva Jeevika (handicrafts and rural enterprises). Its flagship mission is Guardians of the Green, targeting 100 million native trees by 2030. SLRD delivers impact through ten integrated intervention areas covering agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, watershed development, biochar and carbon, clean cooking, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, FPO and livelihood support, green campus programs, and circular economy systems. The organization also offers specific products including the FARM TIGER biofertilizer/bio-pesticide brand and LivingRoots sustainable fashion initiative. Technology-enabled programs like IVCEES and the GAMSME Digital MRV Toolkit support measurement and verification capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YesEarth: SLRD's environmental initiative focusing on climate action, sustainability, and youth engagement programs including Youth Corps Leadership and Model COP.
• Farm Tiger
• LivingRoots
• Mission Vistaar
• IVCEES
• Guardians of the Green

Products and services

• FARM TIGER Bio Fertilizer and Bio Pesticide Brand Organic farm inputs brand developed by SLRD in collaboration with Assam Agriculture University and ICAR-NEH, offering biofertilizers and biopesticides specifically formulated for North East India conditions. Targeted at smallholder farmers seeking affordable organic alternatives to chemical inputs.
• LivingRoots Sustainable Fashion Initiative Sustainable fashion initiative promoting circular fashion through waste reduction, upcycling, recycled materials, traditional handlooms, and techniques such as Khesh weaving and Kantha textiles, targeted at environmentally conscious consumers and artisan communities.
• IVCEES (Integrated Value Chain Enhancement for Environmental Sustainability) Climate-resilient value chain project implemented in partnership with UNDP SGP-07, working with four FPOs engaging over 1,800 farmer members across approximately 1,500 hectares in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. Builds climate-resilient livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, renewable energy solutions, market linkages, and value addition including a turmeric processing plant serving 250 farmers.
• GAMSME Digital MRV Toolkit Proprietary Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification field toolkit used as an operational screening layer for financial institutions, enabling localized on-ground assessments of micro-entrepreneurs to help organize finances, validate working capital cycles, and improve compliance readiness before bank credit applications. Targeted at rural banks and micro-enterprise lending programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ hectares under intervention for climate-resilient agriculture, agroforestry, and ecological restoration
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Meghalaya Rural BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Meghalaya Rural Bank partnered with GAMSME (Global Association of MSMEs, backed by SLRD's 24-year institutional legacy) to create a structured financial inclusion framework for micro-units, artisans, SHGs, and grassroots entrepreneurs. The MoU aims to help rural enterprises access formal credit and become bankable, with GAMSME providing DMRV screening and financial literacy support.
• CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026SLRD and CSIR-CIMAP entered into a partnership for aromatic plant cultivation, essential oil processing unit setup, and sustainable rural enterprise development. The collaboration aims to create replicable rural business models through scientific expertise combined with grassroots delivery, transforming aromatic plant harvests into thriving local enterprises.
• SELCO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026SELCO Foundation co-funds and provides expertise for solar-powered interventions under the IVCEES project. It contributed to the 2.3 kW solar power system for the turmeric processing unit in Madanheh Village, enabling clean, reliable energy for rural value addition enterprises.
• Global Association of MSMEs (GAMSME)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026GAMSME, backed by SLRD's institutional legacy, is focused on strengthening rural MSME ecosystems. GAMSME uses its proprietary Digital MRV field toolkit as a screening layer for banks, enabling localized assessments of entrepreneurs to improve credit readiness. GAMSME's founder Abhijit Sharma is also SLRD's Director General.
• Assam Science Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025SLRD signed an MoU with ASTEC to accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation in Assam, fostering climate-resilient cities and villages through research-driven solutions and community engagement. The partnership focuses on eco-friendly technologies, sustainable agricultural practices, adaptive infrastructure, water management, and climate-resilient farming techniques.
• Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SLRD partners with ATMA for farmer training programs on permaculture and sustainable agriculture. ATMA provides block-level technology managers and subject matter specialists who co-facilitate workshops on sustainable farming practices, multi-cropping, and ecological design.
• AVT McCormick Ingredients Pvt. Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025AVT McCormick Ingredients Pvt. Ltd. participated as a key resource in SLRD's produce aggregation workshop, providing insights into produce aggregation best practices, real-world examples, and market guidance to farmers and FPO members in Meghalaya.
• Pollution Control Board, AssammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024SLRD-YesEarth co-organized the North East Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship Conclave 2024 with the Pollution Control Board, Assam, as part of the Board's Golden Jubilee celebrations. The event brought together 300+ business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to discuss sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship.
• Indian Oil Corporation LimitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024Indian Oil Corporation Limited powered the North East Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship Conclave 2024, contributing as a corporate sponsor for the event organized by SLRD-YesEarth and Pollution Control Board, Assam.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Small Grants Programme (SGP-07)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024UNDP SGP-07 co-funds the IVCEES (Integrated Value Chain Enhancement for Environmental Sustainability) project, which SLRD implements. The project focuses on climate-resilient livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and market access across Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. Over 1,800 farmers across 1,500 hectares benefit from this partnership.
• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024TERI serves as a technical partner in the IVCEES project, providing technical leadership and field experience. TERI senior leadership (Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Dr. Manish Kumar Pandey) conduct project review visits and provide technical guidance for climate-resilient livelihood interventions.
• ICAR-ATARI Zone VIIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SLRD collaborates extensively with ICAR-ATARI Zone VII and KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) Ri-Bhoi for farmer training, capacity building, and technical support. Joint programs include workshops on vermicomposting, permaculture, crop diversification, pineapple processing, and produce aggregation, reaching hundreds of farmers across Meghalaya.
• Cotton UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Cotton University hosted the largest Climate Clock assembly event in Northeast India, organized by YesEarth Youth Corps with support from Energy Swaraj Foundation and in association with ASTEC, AEDA, Rotary International District 3240 and NCC. Over 400 students and faculty from 50 educational institutions participated.
• Energy Swaraj FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Energy Swaraj Foundation supported the YesEarth Youth Corps Climate Leadership Program, collaborating with SLRD on the Climate Clock assembly event and energy literacy training initiatives launched in Haflong, Assam.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-of-livelihood-rural-development-slrd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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