Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar’s Naam Foundation Supports Farmers and Rural Communities
Nana Patekar and actor Makarand Anaspure started the Naam Foundation in 2015.
They wanted to help farmers and families dealing with drought, debt and hardship in Maharashtra.
The foundation says it has supported many farmers, families affected by disasters and widows.
It has provided money and tools such as sewing machines, flour mills and goats to help people earn a living.
It also supports children’s education, food and housing.
Some of its work focuses on saving water, improving farming and planting trees.
Naam has adopted two villages, Dhondalgaon and Aamala.
It hopes to help people there build stronger livelihoods and rely less on water tankers.
Nana Patekar and Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure launched the Naam Foundation in Pune in 2015.
The foundation was established to help Maharashtra’s drought-affected farmers and families facing debt and the effects of farmer suicides.
It reports supporting 77.17 lakh farmers, 50,908 disaster-affected families, families of 102 Army martyrs and 4,957 widows.
Its work includes cash relief, livelihood support, education and housing assistance, farmer training, and water-conservation projects.
Naam has adopted Dhondalgaon and Aamala, aiming to improve water security, agriculture and local employment.
- Who
- Nana Patekar, Makarand Anaspure and the Naam Foundation
- What
- The foundation provides farmer and rural-community support, including relief, livelihood assistance and water-conservation work.
- When
- Naam Foundation was launched in 2015; the Maharashtra government signed an MoU with it in February this year.
- Where
- Pune and drought-affected parts of Maharashtra, including Vidarbha, Marathwada and Gadchiroli; it has also provided relief in Rajouri and Poonch.
- Why
- To assist farmers and families affected by drought, indebtedness and farmer suicides, and to support rural development.
Financial aid alone is insufficient
Relief and development work address multiple needs
How to respond to farmer distress
Financial aid alone is insufficient
Patekar has argued that financial measures alone cannot address farmers’ distress; people facing debt and despair also need someone to listen and offer support.
Relief and development work address multiple needs
Naam’s programmes combine financial assistance with livelihoods, education, housing, farmer training and water-related development.
- Foundation
- Naam Foundation
- Founders
- Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure
- Launch
- 2015, in Pune
- Reported reach
- 77.17 lakh farmers supported
- Disaster relief
- 50,908 families, according to the foundation figures cited
- Other reported support
- Families of 102 Army martyrs and 4,957 widows
- Adopted villages
- Dhondalgaon and Aamala
- Government partnership
- A Maharashtra government MoU with Naam Foundation covers rural development and welfare projects in Gadchiroli.
