About SOIL Collective

Soil Collective Foundation is a Section 8 non-profit organization based in Dihing Kinar Naga Nocte Village, Naharkatia, Dibrugarh, Assam. Founded by farmer, visual artist, film maker and food researcher Mr Deepankar Gohain and Pharmacist and community worker Mr Surajit Borpatra Gohain the foundation is a community-led initiative working at the intersection of soil conservation, archaeology, indigenous knowledge, rural livelihoods, art and crafts, and ecological and environmental education.

The foundation is rooted in the belief that soil is more than a medium for cultivation-it is a living repository of biodiversity, cultural memory, traditional knowledge, and community resilience. Through collaborative research, documentation, creative practice, and grassroots engagement, Soil Collective Foundation works to preserve and revitalize indigenous farming systems, food cultures, oral histories, and ecological practices that are increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and social change.

The organization collaborates closely with indigenous communities in Assam, particularly in the bordering areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar and Saraideo districts, to strengthen sustainable agriculture, promote climate-resilient farming, encourage seed conservation, and create livelihood opportunities rooted in local knowledge and cultural heritage. Its work includes participatory research, community archives, workshops, exhibitions, publications, and interdisciplinary projects that connect traditional wisdom with contemporary ecological challenges.

A key focus of the foundation is documenting and promoting traditional crops systems, medicinal plants, and the rich intangible cultural heritage of indigenous communities. By bringing together farmers, artisans, researchers, designers, educators, and artists, Soil Collective Foundation creates platforms for dialogue, learning, and collaborative action.

Through its initiatives, the foundation envisions resilient rural communities where ecological restoration, cultural preservation, and sustainable livelihoods reinforce one another. It seeks to demonstrate that community knowledge and creative practice can play a vital role in addressing climate change, strengthening food sovereignty, and building a more just and sustainable future. Soil had been working since 2016, but only got organized and registered since 2025 as a section 8 NPC after years of experience.

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