Mission Director, School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD) – YesEarth
Abhijit Sharma is a visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in climate change mitigation, sustainability, and rural development across both national and international landscapes. His expertise spans carbon sequestration, biochar production, organic agricultural inputs, climate adaptation, waste management, renewable energy, and strategic leadership for sustainable transformation.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya and an MBA from the University of Pune. After a successful corporate journey with Unilever, Satyam, and Lanco, and several entrepreneurial ventures, Abhijit transitioned into the development sector, dedicating his life to sustainability and inclusive growth.
As the Global Head of the School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD), Abhijit has spearheaded pioneering initiatives that have transformed the lives of more than 500,000 people, especially in rural and underserved regions. His leadership has supported over 200 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), integrating organic farming, biochar-based soil improvement, value-chain development, and direct market access.
Through YesEarth, he leads impactful climate change mitigation and adaptation programs—championing carbon sequestration, decentralized waste management, biochar as a climate solution, organic agri-inputs, and renewable energy adoption. Under his leadership, more than 1 million youth have been mobilized globally to engage in climate action and sustainability initiatives.
Recognized with the Madhya Pradesh Krishi Award (2017) and the Times Now Brand Vision Award (2019), Abhijit envisions a carbon-neutral world where sustainability is embedded in business models, and communities thrive through nature-positive, climate-resilient solutions.