Knowledge Centre

Maruti Utekar’s Journey: From Uncertainty to Abundance

Maruti Genba Utekar has spent his life working through the changing seasons, much like the generations before him. Awali isn’t just his village—it’s home. His rice fields are his pride, even though farming has always come with its challenges.

Rainfall in the region had always been sufficient, but like many farmers, Maruti struggled with water retention. The geology, geography, and soil conditions made it difficult to hold water for irrigation, leaving him vulnerable during seasonal dry spells. Too often, he watched his fields dry up between rains or flood when the water couldn’t be managed effectively.

Some years were better than others, but uncertainty was a constant companion. When the rains failed, Maruti had no choice but to fetch water bucket by bucket or rely on expensive tankers. It was exhausting—physically and financially. There had to be a better way.

A New Beginning

That change came when he was introduced to the idea of farm ponds in his village. A few farmers took the initiative, building small reservoirs to store rainwater for their crops. Maruti watched with curiosity, wondering if this could be the answer to his struggles.

He hesitated at first—would it really make a difference? But deep down, he knew that depending on erratic monsoons was no longer sustainable. So, he decided to change his farm—and his future—forever.

He built his first farm pond. The process took effort, but as he stood by the newly dug pond, watching it fill with water, a quiet hope settled in his heart. “For the first time, I felt in control of my farm’s future,” he recalls.

A Turning Point

Even though the monsoon arrived as expected that year, Maruti was prepared. His pond had stored enough water to irrigate his fields, and the difference was incredible.

His fruit trees, which once barely survived, started growing strong. He no longer had to carry water from far away or stay up at night worrying about his crops. Now, he had control.

By the end of the season, he harvested more rice than he had in years—all because he had the water he needed, when he needed it.

Looking Ahead

Maruti knew this was just the beginning. Why stop at one pond? With a second farm pond, he could plant more trees, expand his crops and secure his family’s future even further.

As he started work on the second pond, he found himself thinking beyond survival—about growth, about new possibilities.

A Story of Resilience

Maruti’s journey is more than a story of a farmer finding success—it’s a story of resilience, adaptation and taking control of one’s future. His farm pond didn’t just store water; it stored security and sustainability.