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 roots of this initiative trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when British authorities, in response to devastating famines, developed irrigation infrastructure like the Nira Left Bank Canal and the Loyed Bhatghar Dam. These developments benefitted only 22 of Baramati’s villages, leaving the remaining 43 grappling with water scarcity and poverty.
The turning point came in the 1960s when Mr. Sharad Pawar, deeply moved by the plight of local farmers, initiated grassroots efforts to conserve water. In 1967, with support from Miss Hessel Skues and Miss Edna Wazar of the Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), the first percolation tank was built in Tandulwadi under a 'Food for Work' scheme. This innovative model soon led to the construction of over 80 percolation tanks before the Trust was formally established in 1971.
To enable sustainable irrigation, Mr. Pawar collaborated with international aid organizations such as Lutheran World Relief (USA), Christian Aid (London), and Teredes Homes (Germany), securing financial guarantees to facilitate well construction. He also partnered with Kirloskar Oil Engines, providing affordable pump sets to local farmers.
In 1976, Dr. Appasaheb Pawar joined the Trust and brought transformative energy to the mission. Inspired by his visit to Israel, he replicated successful models of dryland farming and modern irrigation by developing a 110-acre demonstration farm at Malegaon (Kh). This farm became a live training center for farmers across the state.
Recognizing the need to diversify, the Trust expanded into dairy, poultry, goat-rearing, agri-processing, and mechanized farming, boosting local incomes and improving quality of life. Simultaneously, healthcare initiatives were introduced, including mobile medical and veterinary units, in partnership with Teredes Homes.
In the late 1980s, Dr. Appasaheb Pawar turned his focus to women’s education. Understanding the cultural constraints that limited girls’ access to schooling, he established a secure residential women’s education complex at Shardanagar. Starting with teacher training and primary education, it expanded into a full-fledged academic hub housing over 6,000 female students.
Following Dr. Pawar’s demise in 2000, Mr. Rajendra Pawar and Mrs. Sunanda Pawar furthered the Trust’s mission. They introduced new initiatives in environmental conservation, cultural enrichment, SHGs for women, food processing, and global collaborations with institutes such as Van Hall Larenstein (Netherlands), UC Davis (USA), and others.
Today, the Agricultural Development Trust is a national beacon of holistic rural development, combining agriculture, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and innovation to uplift thousands of lives across Maharashtra.
