The Agricultural Development Trust (ADT), Baramati was founded on 22nd June 1971 with a visionary mission — to transform the drought-prone Baramati region into a model of agricultural and rural prosperity.
The origins of this transformation lie in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when British authorities responded to devastating famines by creating irrigation infrastructure such as the Nira Left Bank Canal and the Loyed Bhatghar Dam. While these benefitted 22 villages of Baramati, the remaining 43 continued to face water scarcity, agrarian distress and persistent poverty.
ADT emerged as a responsive, people-centric initiative that not only addressed water scarcity but went on to reshape agriculture, rural livelihoods, education, healthcare and women’s empowerment in the region.
The turning point came in the 1960s, when Mr. Sharad Pawar, deeply moved by the hardships of local farmers, began grassroots water conservation efforts. In 1967, with the support of Miss Hessel Skues and Miss Edna Wazar from the Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), the first percolation tank was constructed at Tandulwadi under a “Food for Work” scheme.
This innovative model became a catalyst for change. Over time, more than 80 percolation tanks were built in the region — even before the Trust was formally established in 1971. These tanks significantly improved groundwater levels, making agriculture more sustainable and resilient.
To further strengthen irrigation, Mr. Pawar collaborated with international aid organizations such as Lutheran World Relief (USA), Christian Aid (London) and Teredes Homes (Germany). These collaborations helped secure financial guarantees for well construction and water infrastructure. Partnerships with Kirloskar Oil Engines made modern pump sets accessible and affordable for local farmers.
Through these measures, Baramati began its journey from chronic water scarcity to a vibrant agricultural landscape, laying the foundation for ADT’s multi-dimensional rural development model.
In 1976, Dr. Appasaheb Pawar joined ADT and infused the mission with innovative, research-based approaches. Inspired by his visit to Israel, he adopted successful models of dryland farming and modern irrigation.
He developed a 110-acre demonstration farm at Malegaon (Kh), which soon became a live training centre for farmers from across the state. Here, farmers could observe, experience and adopt improved cropping patterns, irrigation techniques and mechanized practices.
At the same time, ADT expanded into dairy, poultry, goat-rearing, agri-processing and mechanized farming . This diversification significantly enhanced local incomes and improved the overall quality of life in the region.
Along with agriculture and livelihoods, ADT recognized the critical need for healthcare. Mobile medical and veterinary units were launched in partnership with Teredes Homes, bringing essential services to remote villages.
In the late 1980s, Dr. Appasaheb Pawar turned his focus towards women’s education. Acknowledging cultural barriers that restricted girls’ access to education, he pioneered a secure residential women’s education complex at Shardanagar .
Starting with teacher training and primary education, this campus has grown into a comprehensive academic hub, today nurturing over 6,000 female students across diverse programmes – a powerful symbol of empowerment and social transformation.
After the demise of Dr. Appasaheb Pawar in 2000, Mr. Rajendra Pawar and Mrs. Sunanda Pawar took the mission forward with renewed dedication.
They introduced initiatives in environmental conservation, cultural enrichment, self-help groups (SHGs) for women, food processing and global collaborations. ADT has partnered with leading institutions like Van Hall Larenstein (Netherlands), UC Davis (USA) and others to bring international best practices to rural India.
These collaborations have strengthened ADT’s capabilities in sustainable agriculture, food technology, education and rural entrepreneurship, ensuring that the Trust remains at the forefront of innovation-led rural development.
ADT is currently implementing an AI-driven project to enhance agricultural practices, particularly in sugarcane farming. This initiative, known as FarmVibes.AI, integrates:
Farmers receive actionable insights for optimized irrigation, precision fertilization and effective pest management, resulting in:
Today, the Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati stands as a
national beacon of holistic rural development. By integrating
agriculture, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and innovation, ADT
has positively impacted thousands of lives across Maharashtra and beyond.
Shardabai Pawar Arts, Commerce & Science College is proud to be a part of this
transformative ecosystem, carrying forward the Trust’s legacy of
visionary
leadership, social commitment and nation-building.