Soil is a very important resource that provides several ecosystem services. The major challenges impacting sustainable development are high climate risks, increase in GHG emissions, ecological degradation, lack of knowledge about soil health management and food insecurity. The resultant effects are poverty, massive unemployment, labour migration, regional and inter-regional disparities, degradation of natural resources and ecosystems. Soil organic carbon plays a vital role in climate change mitigation. BAIF Development Research Foundation, a non-government organization in India, has been addressing these issues through a holistic approach along with farmer sensitization successfully in many states of India. Recognising the importance of meeting the basic needs of economically disadvantaged farming communities, BAIF’s approach combines livelihood activities with addressing climate change issues. The outcome of this programme is the progressive improvement of farmer wellbeing as well as soil health.