Enabling Communities to drive the change process
Our Story
Who We Are
At Pasidi Panta Foundation, we bring over 50 years of collective experience in managing large-scale development projects and agri value chain initiatives. After more than four decades of experience in the social sector, working across organisations involved in direct implementation, grant making, strategy, and policy making , we returned to our roots and established Pasidi Panta Foundation with a renewed commitment to the development of small and marginal farmers, tribal communities, and the urban poor.
We believe that lasting change can be achieved only through long-term engagement with communities, strengthening local capacities, and fostering collective action. Our approach focuses on enabling communities with solutions that are locally relevant, owned, and driven by local leadership and community collectives. Our work is guided by consistent professional support and the application of evidence-based practices on the ground.
Through an integrated value chain approach, we are in the process of establishing a model that benefits farmers and consumers while promoting environmental protection. We are currently implementing programmes focused on the sustainability of spice farmers in partnership with Paras Spices Limited, Nestlé, and Synthite Private Limited.
Over the years, we have expanded our scope to economically enable and reach underserved communities, including Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as urban poor women.
Our body of work over the last four years, includes the following programs.
- Responsible Sourcing Program for Chilli and Turmeric Value chains
- Gramodaya Program for Sustainable Turmeric Value Chain Development
- National Sustainable Spice Program for promoting residue free produce
- Career Orientation for Girls in Agriculture
Our Approach
What We Do
Farmer Collectivisation and Behaviour Change Communication
We strengthen farmer groups and cooperatives to promote self help, collective action, market access, and leadership development. By establishing demo farms, we drive the behaviour change and adoption of best practices. Each demo plot acts as learning ground to conduct Farmer Field Schools (FFS), where farmers learn through demonstrations and peer learning enabling adoption of improved practices.
Soil and Water Conservation
We prioritise soil health and water security as the foundation for promoting sustainable farming. Our interventions include soil testing and soil test–based nutrient planning, Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS), tank silt application, and moisture conservation practices. We also support the construction of farm ponds and the renovation of existing water bodies to improve water availability and improved usage, enhance groundwater recharge, and strengthen resilience in drought-prone regions.
Promoting Good agricultural practices, Integrated Pest Management & Natural Farming
We promote balanced, eco-friendly crop management practices to reduce chemical dependence and reduce the cost of cultivation. Farmers are encouraged to practice a range of good agricultural practices-GAP which include use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods, regenerative agricultural practices, establishment of Bio-Resource Centres (BRCs), and the preparation and application of bio-inputs to promote Natural Farming. We also promote agro-forestry practices, integrating trees with crops to restore soil life, enhance biodiversity, and create additional income streams.
Technology-Enabled Farming and market linkages
We introduce and enable the use of simple, farmer-friendly technologies to improve on-field decision-making. Automated weather stations, Digital soil testing labs, Solar traps and IPM practices, Traceability app and crop advisory tools, and other technology-based interventions complement regular field engagement and help farmers adopt practices more effectively. An important aspect of the program is to build market linkages for the final produce.
The Goal
Future Outlook
Building on the field experiences across farming and community-based livelihoods, Pasidi Panta Foundation’s future focus is on expanding into new geographies, communities, and livelihood opportunities.
PPF is currently implementing a Responsible Sourcing programme for chilli and turmeric, with plans to extend this model to other spice crops in the coming years, expanding outreach and impact for spice farmers across southern India.
PPF would like to strengthen its engagement in tribal regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, beginning with the Kolam communities in the Adilabad region. Planned interventions include promotion of savings and credit cooperatives, financial literacy, agriculture-based livelihoods, and the development of mahua, and amla–based value chains, aligned with local ecological and cultural contexts.
In urban areas, PPF’s activities would include working with street vendors and their collectives, focusing on improving access to finance, strengthening financial inclusion, and enabling collective platforms for economic security.
In Parallel, drawing on the founders’ expertise in financial inclusion and community-based microfinance, PPF will continue to support and strengthen women’s savings and credit cooperatives registered under the MACS Act in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as SHG federations across India, with a focus on building self-managed and resilient institutions.
The Team
Meet Our Team
Founder Trustees
Narender Kande
Chairperson and Managing TrusteeNarender Kande
Four decades of decades experience in the social sector; Instrumental in developing and scaling thematic programs on community banking and livelihoods in PRADAN and DHAN Foundation; Worked with donor agencies including SRTT, BMGF, and The World Bank especially on institution building, microfinance, livelihoods and women empowerment; Instrumental in building sustainable SHG federations across India.
Krishnaiah Kodimela
Founder Trustee and TreasurerKrishnaiah Kodimela
A social entrepreneur with two decades of experience across the social and corporate sectors. Founder of Pasidi Panta Private Limited, passionate about sustainable spice value chains and farmer enterprises.
Board of Trustees
NV Rama
TrusteeNV Rama
Social development expert with two decades of grassroots experience with tribal communities and implementing education programs focused on improving learning outcomes, in partnership with State Governments of AP and Telangana. Alumni of TISS, Mumbai.
K Rama Prabha
TrusteeK Rama Prabha
A social activist with three decades of experience in building and strengthening women self-help groups and federations among the urban poor and addressing the issues of equity and equality. An agriculture graduate involved in promoting regenerative farming among tribal communities of Andhra Pradesh.
K Sruthi Niveditha
Trustee and SecretaryK Sruthi Niveditha
A Young India Fellow from Ashoka University with about a decade of experience in women entrepreneurship and empowerment. Passionate about promoting craft-based livelihoods and building sustainable market linkages for the rural artisans.