Our curiosity about Balasaheb Lomte's journey began the moment we met him in Warud village, Jalna district, where farming has long been his livelihood.

Like many farmers in Maharashtra, Balasaheb struggled with severe water scarcity. Unpredictable weather and the lack of effective water conservation solutions led to declining crop yields, making it increasingly difficult to sustain his farm. While he battled poor harvests, his family of five depended largely on the income earned by his 24-year-old eldest son, who worked as a labourer in a nearby factory. The family managed to get by until tragedy struck.

JalTara worked like magic for Balasaheb

Things took a devastating turn when his son lost his life in an accident while returning home to celebrate Diwali. The festival of lights turned into a period of immense darkness for Balasaheb and his family.

The loss of a son was an unimaginable emotional blow. Burdened by grief and uncertainty, Balasaheb was left wondering how he would care for his family. Yet, despite the hardships, he refused to give up. With little understanding of the causes of drought and waterlogging, he continued working on his fields, determined to find a way forward.

Like countless farmers across India, Balasaheb was deeply affected by the water crisis. Limited financial resources and poor crop yields made it increasingly difficult for his family to make ends meet.

JalTara Brought New Hope

At this critical stage, The Art of Living's JalTara project reached Balasaheb's village. JalTara Sevaks encouraged him to construct recharge structures on his farm.

The results brought significant change. Groundwater levels increased, crop spoilage reduced, agricultural productivity improved, and, over time, his income doubled.

Balasaheb was now able to cultivate a wider variety of crops without depending entirely on rainfall. The groundwater recharge made possible through JalTara became a turning point in his farming journey.

JalTara has emerged as an effective water conservation initiative, helping recharge groundwater and enabling farmers across rural India to improve crop production and make better use of their land.

A Story of Courage and Resilience

Today, Balasaheb proudly shares that he harvests 5 quintals of soybean, 3 quintals of jowar, cotton, and several other crops, allowing him to once again provide for his family through farming.

In his own words:

“Our village's water situation deteriorated after the rains because the mud was everywhere. We needed more water to grow crops. After JalTara project implementation, the situation has improved as all the rainwater goes into recharge structures. Now there is no mud, and water levels have risen."

JalTara cannot replace the son Balasaheb lost. However, the construction of recharge structures has brought financial security and renewed hope to his family. The initiative has emerged as an effective solution to water scarcity, helping farmers across many villages improve crop yields and strengthen their livelihoods.

JalTara aims to reach 100,000 villages and build five million recharge structures over five years, with the objective of addressing India's water crisis through groundwater recharge.

Balasaheb's journey is one of extraordinary courage and resilience. Despite enduring profound personal loss, he chose to persevere. Today, his smile has returned - thanks, in part, to the renewed hope that JalTara brought into his life.

Balasaheb Lomte continues to inspire farmers and countless others to face adversity with determination, never give up, and keep searching for the right path forward.