Across the sunbaked talukas of Mantha and Partur in Jalna, Maharashtra, farming is more than just an occupation—it’s the lifeblood of the region. Cotton, soybeans, and pulses dominate the landscape, coaxed from the basalt-rich soil of this semi-arid belt.

For decades, farmers here have depended on dugwells and borewells to water their fields. But with groundwater levels plummeting and rainfall patterns shifting, survival has become a daily challenge.

Prabhakar Deshmukh, a farmer from Dhoksal village in Mantha taluka, exemplifies both the challenges and the progress seen in the region. Despite cultivating a diverse range of crops on his 40-acre farm, Deshmukh once faced severe water shortages during the dry months.

Between January and the onset of the monsoon, he required five water tankers each week—a costly necessity, as his one-acre pond could not meet his irrigation needs. For his outstanding contributions to agriculture, Deshmukh was honored with the Maharashtra state government’s “Krishi Bhushan” award. But since the implementation of the JalTara groundwater rejuvenation project, he has not needed a single tanker for the past two years.

A similar story of revival comes from Pandhurna village. At 60, Parameshwar Shinde radiates quiet pride as he speaks of a bumper year in 2022—earning Rs 5 lakh from six acres of soybean, green gram, and vegetables.

“For nearly twenty years, I tilled my fields for little return,” he shares, “My sons had to take up odd jobs to support us. Now, we’re finally seeing the rewards.” His story echoes across the district.

These aren’t isolated successes—they’re part of a growing movement. With initiatives like JalTara, spearheaded by the Save Groundwater Foundation (SGF), a new model of rural resilience is taking root. Affordable, scalable techniques like rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge are helping reverse decades of water stress. As tanks dry up less often and livelihoods flourish, communities that once teetered on the edge are rediscovering hope.

The vision and impact of JalTara

Dr. Purushottam Vayal, a former political science professor turned passionate water........

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