Our Story – From Water Conservation to World-Class Education

The story of the Agricultural Development Trust (ADT) in Baramati is rooted in resilience and visionary leadership. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Baramati experienced severe droughts and famines, forcing people to migrate in search of survival. Water scarcity remained a persistent challenge in this rain-shadow region, making agriculture uncertain and lives unstable. In the 1960s, a young leader, Shri Sharadchandra Pawar, realized that the key to transforming lives was water conservation and sustainable farming. With the support of international humanitarian organizations, the pioneering Food for Work initiative was launched, resulting in the construction of hundreds of percolation tanks and wells. These efforts revived agriculture and gave hope to countless farmers. In 1971, to further this mission of rural development, the Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, was established. What started as a movement for water security evolved into a multifaceted organization working in agriculture, health, women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, and—most significantly—education.

Recognizing that education is the primary driver of social change, the Trust established an educational hub at Sharadanagar, providing quality learning opportunities, particularly for girls, at a time when higher education for rural women was scarce. Today, the campus hosts schools, colleges, and advanced research centers, empowering thousands of students with modern skills. Building on this legacy, Shardabai Pawar English Medium School (CBSE) was established to bring world-class, NEP 2020-aligned education to rural India. Inspired by global teaching models from Finland and the Netherlands, and integrated with CBSE’s structured academic excellence, the school offers a blend of technology-driven classrooms, STEM-based learning, and holistic development programs. Our vision remains unwavering—to transform rural education, nurture future-ready learners, and empower the next generation with knowledge, values, and innovation. From conserving every drop of water to cultivating every spark of curiosity, ADT continues its journey of shaping prosperous and educated communities.