Marathwada Sheti Sahayya Mandal started working with the concept of "recharging of aquifers" for addressing the real problem of water scarcity, as a strategy to counter the ill effects of drought from 1974 after the big drought of 1972. This work could show respectful impact by 1978. MSSM started promoting the approach and making it more people-based in the early eighties. As a part of this effort, Adgaon project was initiated. Villagers from Adgaon, one drought stricken village, and MSSM negotiated the technical options and work methodology, in consultation with several institutions like Action for Food Production (AFPRO), International Crop Research Institute for Semi‑Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), WALMI, State Departments of Soil Conservation, Social Forestry, as well as individuals and experts.
Adgaon is an example of all-round developed village through Watershed Development Programme achieved with an active participation of villagers through ‘Marathwada Sheti Sahayya Mandal’ and Soil Conservation & Watershed Management Department.  Today this has become guiding example not only to our state but also to the whole of our Nation as to what the voluntary participation can do in changing the entire scenario of the village. Adgaon faced many problems prior to Watershed Development Programme. Though the average annual rainfall received is 725 mm, Adgaon has suffered from drought for about 28 years in the history of last 80 years. To put it differently, one out of three years has been a drought year. Adgaon watershed is located in the taluka & district Aurangabad in Arid-agro-climatic zone of Maharashtra State. It is about 35 km away from Aurangabad and approachable by Aurangabad-Beed Highway. The watershed area is characterized by undulating hilly topography on the northern side & gently sloping to flat agricultural farms on the southern side. Main nalla originates from northern side dividing the watershed area into east & west zones. About 11 streams join the main nalla draining the watershed.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1) Geographical:

2) Average Annual Rainfall

725.00 mm

3) Socio-Economic:

a) Total Population
   i) Male
   ii) Female
b) Total families
c) Total Farming families
d) Landless Families
e) Cows
f) Buffaloes
g) Bullocks;

PROJECT ACTIVITIES & COST:

A scientific & an integrated watershed development approach with an emphasis on soil conservation and biomass regeneration were adopted. The following components of watershed development were implemented.

Production system

1. Semi-irrigated horticulture
2. Crop production under irrigated & semi irrigated conditions

The total expenditure incurred on Watershed Development Project is Rs. 26.79 lakhs (2.68 million rupees)

WORKDONE AND EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY DIFFERENT AGENCIES

Total Cost per hectare:- Rs. 2,700

The work in Adgaon (1984-88) was taken up with the support of Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). The results were impressive, with many‑fold increase in productivity, significant positive changes in production relations and social activities of the people, which brought Adgaon on national map. With Adgaon project, MSSM demonstrated a pragmatic, viable and replicable approach to management of land and water resources on watershed basis to overcome the ill effects of drought. Adgaon project, a national example of integrated watershed development, was helpful to planners and practitioners to formulate policies and programmes for poverty alleviation and drought proofing on sustainable basis. The Government of Maharashtra issued a Resolution in 1988 for development of watersheds on "Adgaon Pattern". The learning from Adgaon project had been a great help in formulation of Indo‑German Watershed Development Programme. In essence, MSSM has done pioneering work in the field of natural resources management and watershed development.