delhi@srijanindia.org +91 8800515992

Purushottam Dhakar

Purushottam is a highly accomplished development professional with over 21 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, horticulture development, natural resource management, livelihood enhancement, and community wellbeing. His extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to rural transformation have positioned him as a leader in advancing sustainable practices and improving the lives of marginalized farming communities.

Currently serving as the Program Director at SRIJAN, Purushottam spearheads transformative horticulture initiatives that positively impact over 7,000 orchard farmers and 13,000 vegetable farmers. His work emphasizes the development of sustainable nano orchards and vegetable plots, particularly in rain-fed and remote regions. By co-creating knowledge systems and enhancing community skills in horticulture production, he enables farmers to adopt sustainable practices, optimize yields, and secure improved livelihoods.In his leadership role, Purushottam plays a critical part in designing strategic frameworks, formulating actionable plans, and building the capacity of field teams across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He is deeply involved in fundraising efforts, the professional development of human resources, and fostering strong relationships with donors to ensure the sustained growth and impact of the organization. His ability to align on-ground initiatives with organizational goals has been instrumental in scaling SRIJAN's reach and effectiveness. Prior to his role at SRIJAN, Purushottam worked with the Reliance Foundation, where he served as Team Leader for the Netrang (Gujarat) and Sendhwa (Madhya Pradesh) clusters. During this tenure, he contributed significantly to the Bharat India Jodo (BIJ) Rural Transformation Program, implementing community-driven solutions to address key rural development challenges. His approach emphasized participatory development, integrating grassroots insights with innovative strategies to achieve lasting impact. Purushottam holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture, with a specialization in Agronomy, from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. This strong academic foundation, coupled with decades of hands-on experience, has made him an authority in sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Driven by his passion for empowering rural communities, Purushottam is committed to advancing equitable and sustainable practices that foster holistic development. His work exemplifies the integration of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of grassroots realities to create meaningful and transformative change in underserved regions.