Samshad Alam

Md. Shamshad Alam is an experienced professional with a focus on sericulture-based livelihood projects. He has worked extensively with rural poor, particularly forest dwellers, across Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Currently serving as the CEO of Tasar Development Foundation (TDF) since its establishment in 2013, Shamshad has been instrumental in leading nature-based solutions for climate impact and sustainable livelihood activities in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.

Shamshad's professional journey began in 1996 at Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN), where he has worked with over 10,000 forest dwellers in Bihar and Jharkhand. He has led a team of professionals in promoting tasar sericulture-based livelihoods for rural poor communities. He has played a key role in anchoring projects at the organization level, including UNDP-assisted projects, NABARD's Tribal Development Programme, SGSY projects, and MKSP-NTFP projects.

Shamshad has been involved in perspective planning, proposal formulation, budgeting, strategy formulation, finance mobilization and management, implementation, monitoring, liaisoning with stakeholders, and capacity building. He has developed training modules for various categories of producers and conducted entrepreneurial and motivational training sessions.

With a strong focus on integrated natural resource management and forest-based livelihoods, particularly tasar sericulture and decentralized forest management, Shamshad has contributed to the development of the sector. He has also undertaken socio-economic studies and value chain studies in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Shamshad holds a Bachelor's degree in Forestry from Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. He has completed various professional certifications, including entrepreneurial motivation training and leadership and adaptive forest management. Throughout his career, he has attended multiple trainings and undertaken projects in collaboration with organizations such as UNDP, Ministry of Rural Development, and Central Silk Board.

As a dedicated professional, Shamshad has made significant contributions to the field of sericulture-based livelihoods, promoting sustainable income generation, building community institutions, and establishing backward and forward linkages. Under his leadership, TDF has successfully promoted self-sustaining institutions in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.