The organisation, N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation (SWDF), which is popularly known as "Sadguru", came into existence in the year 1974.The project was initiated and supported by the STANROSE group of companies, the Mafatlals in the beginning. Mr Harnath Jagawat, the director took the reins of this organisation in the year 1974 and the first 2 years he walked from village to village collecting information and data related to the situation of the natural resources and the reasons for the high levels of poverty and migration in these tribal regions of western india. He was later joined by his wife Ms SharmisthaBen and many professionals interested in working in the field of development.

• A social research was carried out in the region from 1974-1975. The following areas of concern came up;
• The Eastern regions of Dahod and Jhalod taluka of Panchmahals district was the most backward and economically most vulnerable
• 95% tribal population with 90% below poverty line was the status of the people
• Almost 100% migration due to many factors like poor land quality, limited irrigation facilities, outdated agricultural practices, poor extension services.
• Only 6% of land was under irrigation of the total land whereas there were high irrigation potentials existing.
• The water resources of the region were under utilized or not utilized at all.

Based on these intensive studies, water resources development in the form of community lift irrigation schemes was given the highest priority. Subsequently, programmes such as: agro forest - farm forestry, micro watershed development, community water harvesting, Bio-gas, and non-farm income generation activities involving women, Joint Forest Management (JFM), horticulture, floriculture, women's self help groups, have later, evolved on the basis of need and potential.

Throughout this development journey, village institutions were established to help strengthen and sustain the programs. The oldest village organization has been in existence for more than 25 years.

“I know the difficult times that Sadguru and its pioneer had in the beginning. Everyone including me was skeptical of the success of Sadguru’s programmes. But, these people had clear-cut vision and enough courage to pursue their mission and programmes. There were very few supporters in the beginning. All alone these people struggled in the beginning. With the remarkable success that Sadguru achieved now everyone is very supportive……… They have proved that development around the available local resources with the participation of the people is the most effective way of helping the poors.…… Every where in the world, on every forum, people are concerned about water and land. Sadguru has proved that when these two resources are harnessed properly, they can achieve amazing results. They have presented a development style and model, which is based on local resources supported with an appropriate technology..…… There are very few highly successful stories in the development field. Sadguru’s development story has been one of the most successful A development model that Sadguru has offered, if replicated in the tribal regions from here to Kala Handi in Orissa, not only the tribals, but, the entire country will be rich…… This model will tomorrow spread in the tribal regions of India and day after tomorrow in the entire world.”