Three years ago, daily, over 300 villagers from Rui village in Beed, Maharashtra, used to go to work in other villages. Abandoning traditional farming where they used to annually earn Rs 20,000 to 30,000 per acre, together we started growing lakhs of mulberry plants on over 600 acres. Leaves of mulberry are spread over trays in sheds, and small silkworm larvae are put on these leaves. In 22 days, the insects grow by eating the leaves, and their saliva produces a small cocoon. Each of these 1-inch cocoons contains one km of silk yarn and is sold at good prices.

Annual incomes soared to over 3 lakh per acre. All farmer children who had come back to Rui during COVID refused to go back to the cities; younger farmers got active; monthly turnover crossed crores; and instead of Rui villagers going out, every day 200–300 labourers come from adjoining villages to work.

But they had one major problem: water.

Yesterday, we embarked on a major water harvesting project: deepening and widening the Rui River, creating Global River Aquashafts (GRA), etc., which will store crores of litres of water and ensure that production and business grow and grow. In the prosperity of farmers lies the prosperity of India.

It would be great if you speak to their dynamic Sarpanch, Kalidas, to know more. Do motivate our rural brothers and sisters (Tel: 9764062222)

INDIA CAN WAIT NO MORE!