World Development Foundation (WDF) harnesses community radio, ICT, UAV technology, and agricultural extension services to improve the lives of poor and marginalised people across India, Africa, and Asia.
World Development Foundation (WDF) is a knowledge-based, charitable foundation registered in New Delhi, India, with a mission to enrich and sustain the lives and livelihoods of poor and excluded people worldwide. Since 2003, WDF has leveraged mass media — community radio, television, ICT, and new media — to spread knowledge in education, agriculture, healthcare, and livelihood generation.
WDF is an approved partner of Media Lab Asia (Ministry of Communication & IT, Govt. of India) and has executed projects for the Government of Ethiopia, multiple Indian agricultural universities, and international agencies. The foundation is led by Prof. Dr. Sir Hari Om Srivastava, former Additional Director General of All India Radio (equivalent to Addl. Secretary to Govt. of India) and the architect of India's Community Radio policy.
End-to-end solutions spanning broadcast engineering, agricultural extension, ICT, and capacity building.
Complete turnkey solutions for community and commercial FM radio stations — from licensing and studio acoustics to transmitter installation and content production. WDF drafted India's first CRS policy and has deployed stations across India, Nepal, and Ethiopia.
Knowledge Agriculture® using IoT, AI, UAVs, and video-based extension. Projects include the Agriculture Knowledge Dissemination System (ANDS) in Bihar — an EMPC connecting five remote locations via video conferencing for farmer training.
Cloud-based learning management systems, UGC-approved vocational courses (Radio Jockey, A/V Editing, Station Management), and online modules via WDF University for SDG 2030. Deployed Cloud Radio for Cooch Behar University.
Application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, and AI for precision agriculture, disease surveillance, and climate-smart farming — aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and the Government of India's goal to double farmer income.
Field-tested interventions that have transformed agricultural practices and community engagement across continents.
Established an Electronic Media Production Centre (EMPC) with a rich archive of agricultural practices, connected to five remote locations through high-speed video conferencing. Enabled direct expert–farmer interaction, improving yield outcomes across Bihar's farming communities.
Result: Yield improvement through real-time advisory in local dialects.
Won a global bid from the Ministry of Communication & IT, Federal Republic of Ethiopia, to supply, install, and commission seven 700 W community radio stations in remote regions (Oromia, Amhara, Debub Omo, Borana). Solar-powered, local-language broadcasting reaching over 500,000 farmers weekly with climate-smart advisories.
Result: Reduced crop losses, adoption of drought-resistant crops, and enhanced community participation in decision-making.
A flagship initiative integrating IoT, AI, robotics, UAVs, and greenhouse automation with traditional farming wisdom. Presented at the National Conference on ICT and Mass Media (2019) with participation from AARDO, Indian Agricultural Universities Association, and international delegates.
Outcome: A scalable framework for global food security now being piloted in multiple countries.
WDF's leadership has authored over 150 research papers, six books, and multiple patented innovations in broadcasting, ICT, and agriculture.
A pioneering framework integrating IoT, AI, UAVs, and indigenous knowledge for sustainable food production. Addresses SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) globally.
Examines WDF's video-cloud and community radio interventions in Bihar and Ethiopia, demonstrating measurable yield improvements through ICT-mediated extension.
Analyses how oral tradition combined with modern radio technology empowers marginalised communities, drawing on WDF's Ethiopian and Indian deployments.
Policy-oriented paper outlining the role of cloud radio, video cloud, and community media in achieving the UN SDGs, with specific reference to WDF's multi-country projects.
WDF-recognised vocational education and online learning designed for skill development and livelihood generation.
Learn about SDG 2030, aims objectives and status. Conducted across India at partner universities.
Enroll →Learn about digital, satellite and AI driven broadcasting using industry-standard tools. Career track for radio, TV, film, and event management sectors.
Enroll →Comprehensive course in station operations, programme production, engineering management, advertising, and revenue generation. MBA preferred entry.
Enroll →Online module on smart farming using IoT, drones, sensors, AI-based decision support systems, and sustainable post-harvest management.
Access online →Self-assessment modules on community radio regulations, agricultural best practices, ICT tools, and SDG 2030 targets.
Take a quiz →Online free courses in agriculture, media, robotics, AI, and skill development — aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Visit WDF Universe →WDF collaborates with government agencies, universities, NGOs, and international bodies to deliver scalable impact.
Support our mission. Volunteer opportunities, donations, and partnership enquiries are always welcome.
