On the premises of Kisan Vir Mahavidyalaya in Wai, a two-acre mango orchard has become more than just campus greenery. Its harvest now helps support students from farming families while they study at the college.
This orchard is located on the outskirts of Wai, near the men's dormitory. In May, it fills with the aroma of ripe Payri, Hapus, and Lalbagh mango varieties.
Around 1990, Professor Dattatray Wagchaware discovered an unused plot of land and conceived something significant. With the support of Prataprao Bhosale, students planted mango saplings through shramdan (voluntary labor). These saplings grew into an orchard with 180 trees. Birds nest in its branches, the roots are supported by wells, and the orchard now brings the college the highest carbon credits.
Director Dr. Gurunat Fagare notes: 'This orchard is more than just a grove of 180 mango trees. It is a sanctuary where carefully planted hope has matured into memory, ecology, and entrepreneurship.'
Since 2016–17, the college has been supporting students from bereaved farming families in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. Approximately 80 students have been able to complete their education without financial burden. The orchard is part of this support. In the current season, it generated nearly 1 lakh rupees through mango sales. These revenues are directed towards scholarships, campus improvement, and student welfare.
Previously, without fencing, the fruits often spoiled due to cattle and theft, and the annual income rarely exceeded 25,000 rupees. Nevertheless, students, dormitory staff, and faculty continued to care for the trees year after year.
Today, under the guidance of Professor Dr. Amol Kavade, the orchard has become much more productive. He says: 'Passion and patience are the real fertilizers.' This season, 450 dozen Hapus and 250 dozen Kesar were harvested. The orchard also serves as a classroom. Students study grafting, composting, soil management, and organic farming, while dormitory residents collect and sell mangoes, learning the basics of entrepreneurship.
Somnat Sanap joined the college in 2017 after his grandfather committed suicide due to debt. He shares: 'I enrolled at Kisan Vir College in 2017 and received free education.' He completed a Master's in Chemistry, registered for a Ph.D. at Shivaji University, and returned to teach. As Vaibhav says: 'We continue a story that began before us.'