A missionary group of Churches of Scotland, ‘War on Want’ was working in Jalna for rural development and humanitarian services from fiftees. The functionaries were working here, in our part of country being residents of a country, as a proverb, seven seas far-off. All good efforts & works sow seeds for good reaping and in Jalna, those days people had faith and belief in these missionaries. We as a group of youngsters, for some or the other reason had exposure of the state of the country and the work of War on Want evoked a sense of social obligation for our own people.

Being in sector of agriculture, for farming, agriculture inputs, machinery, etc we started realizing gaps and constraints of the farming community in cruising ahead towards the then most advanced and developed technologies in agriculture. These issues with a guiding philosophy of War on Want with a felt need for agriculture support and extension led to the very genesis of Marathwada Sheti Sahayya Mandal.
We could understand the importance of adoption of new technologies and practices for betterment of agriculture, we were convinced and the issue was to convince others, other farmers. It was strongly felt that this would only be well sinking, irrigated crops, etc some thing novel those days. The socio-economic situation also called to initiate these activities with those who could experiment and risk. Well sinking and improved crop varieties helped to increase cropping intensity with these few farmers, in some 10-12 villages. At the same time through discussions and sharing of experiences, in the lead was Rev McLoude of War on Want, it was strongly erged also to extend assistance to small farmers for well sinking, seeds, etc as fulfillment of resources and to extend assistance to communities for drinking water. It can be boosted today as very good work done those days but really speaking was partly planned partly unplanned. Churches and people came forward with support of technology to resolve people’s needs. In 1964-65 we imported ‘down the hole – DTH’ drilling machine, first of its kind in India, under British Agreement. These rigs could drill boreholes upto 100-125 feet (30-40 m) and we drilled lot of these bores with an accepted belief that there is ample water beneath shall be sufficient and will fulfill the requirements for years to come. This belief came because lots of wells even of the depth of 30-35 feet (10-12 m) were perennial. Later it was found untrue but in those days we found water wherever we struck. We had very good success even in areas like Khultabad, Solapur, etc. where even inthose days drinking water was a chronic problem.

After striking water at depths beyond 45-50 feet (15-17 m) we had the problem to lift it for consumption. Those days hand pumps had limitation and therefore we had to design handpumps that could lift water from 100-120 feet. With technological adaptations and with missionary groups at Jalna and Wadala (District Ahmednagar) a new handpump was designed and developed which took the name Jalwad (Jalna-Wadala).(MARK). After further improvisation such handpumps were manufactured at Jalna, Wadala, Solapur. We were manufacturing these handpumps till 1977-78.
Drought, as like today, was a regular phenomenon those days also. Under the impression that farmers were illiterate and had no knowledge of agriculture, which also proved untrue in years to come, we the then knowledgeable persons tried to enlighten these poor, resource poor farmers. Hybrid seeds, farm implements were demonstrated and distributed to may farmers, with the feeling that increasing production shall solve problems of these poor villagers permanently. Incidentally, policy makers and people in government also pleaded the same and therefore, such activities as part of the mission were promoted.

The trustees used to meet regularly and had discussions to keep track of the developments, pump fresh air, put options to resolve specific issues and keep the zeal up. In 1966-67, Directors of MAHYCO helped us with seeds of improved varieties, hybrids and offered suggestions. We then thought of credit linkages for small and large farmers and therefore approached 4-5 banks and Agriculture Finance Corporation (Apex Bank). Agriculture finance was leveraged for 25-30 villages most of these in Ambad area. MAHYCO was always in support not only with assistance of agriculture inputs but also for on-farm support through their cadre of Agriculture Officers and by providing opportunity to most of the farmers for seed production. Technology, knowledge and skill were disseminated to farmers and farm labourers.
Mandal was cruising in deep waters and that provided strong impetus to keep us going ahead, to cross milestones one after other. Favouring government policies also provided the boost. Government had adopted policy of ‘Welfare State’ and formed Community Development Blocks under the leadership of Lt Morarji Desai. (ACT). Government believed strongly that it ‘can uplift its subjects’ and we believed similarly that we could upraise the people. Mandal was a charitable institution (ISP) and we were young enthusiastic and felt to have strength to resolve people’s problems. We did it to a large extent. Those days ever year 150-200 wells were sunk, drilling rigs were sent to far-off places, large quantity of hybrid, improved seeds were distributed and produced in multiples, (IMPORTED SEMEN FROM SWITZERLAND – DR MANIBHAI DESAI). In those days fertilizers were rationed on quota basis. We used to procure more and also imported additional stocks. Urea, 20:20:0, etc was distributed to small farmers in charity in tons. Mandal also had support under ‘Food for Work’