Manavlok an established NGO in state of Maharashtra over 3 decades is spearheading many agricultural initiatives for the poor farmers in state of Maharashtra and other states of India.

SAS is its partner and advisor on its Agricultural Initiatives. SAS has recently partnered and has been the prime driver of an initiative where in it was brainstorm and map a long term Agricultural Resource Centre which would address the regular challenges on a macro and micro level for the farmers. The key here was thinking through the facets of challenges economic, geographic, climatic and culturally and then harness them into a framework which was self sustaining, encouraging and delivering results on a regular basis.

Out of this detailed brainstorm and on the ground work by SAS with Manavlok was born :

Gharda Agriculture Resource Center (GARC) – Driving Sustainable Agricultural Transformation

The Gharda Agriculture Resource Center (GARC), based in Tuljapur, is a visionary initiative aimed at revitalizing rural agriculture into a dignified, sustainable, and income-generating livelihood. As a community-centric platform, GARC addresses critical challenges faced by small and marginal farmers—such as limited access to reliable agricultural information, lack of exposure to organic practices, and minimal knowledge of market-linked decision-making in areas like seed selection, pest management, and post-harvest techniques. With a strong focus on sustainability, GARC is envisioned as a trusted ecosystem for agricultural training, demonstration units, and rural enterprise incubation. In its first year, GARC will work with 500 farmers across 12 nearby villages, with the long-term goal of becoming a self-sustaining institution within five years.

The five key pillars of GARC are:

1. Infrastructure & Facility Development – Includes contour mapping, farm pond maintenance, installation of solar pest traps, water sensors, and weather stations to enable real-time data-driven decisions for farmers.

2. Agri Testing and Innovation – Empowers rural youth with solar technology skills through exposure visits and hands-on workshops. A solar repair and maintenance unit will also be established at the center.

3. Farmer Knowledge & Skill Development – Focused on seed production (Cucurbitaceae family), organic farming, the 10 Drum Theory, and onion value chain (nursery to post-harvest processes).

4. Sustainable Agriculture Demonstrations – Establishment of crop demonstration plots (black gram, green gram, red gram, rice, and onion) and plantation of native species like mango, teak, and dragon fruit to encourage replicable models.

5. Livelihood Diversification & Community Engagement – Initiatives such as apiculture for added income and the Trupti Kitchen for supporting vulnerable elderly citizens aim to deepen community ties and build trust.

Conclusion :

The initiative which was initiated by Manavlok and SAS together has created a very firm, strong base for the rural community in hinterlands of Maharashtra. Today,GARC serves as a dynamic space where farmers, women, and youth can access knowledge, build entrepreneurial capacity, and adopt modern, eco-friendly agricultural practices.  It fosters farm productivity, environmental stewardship, and inclusive rural development— emerging as a replicable model where agriculture is a source of pride, purpose, and prosperity.