Ajanale

Ajanale is a village in the state of Maharashtra, India. Administratively it is under the Sangole Taluka of Solapur District in Maharashtra. The village is known for its export quality anar (pomegranates). 90% of its population is directly or indirectly dependent on pomegranate production. The village is located 15 km by road west of the town of Sangole, and 8 km by road east of the village of Bombewadi and the bridge over the Man River.LocationAjanale is a village in the hot and arid zone of Solapur. The blazing sun and rocky land characterize the landscape of this region. Aside from thorny bushes and that occasional yellow desert flower there is very little that meets the eye on the plains that forms Solapur. Ajanale is one of the most progressive villages in Solapur, especially known for its pomegranates.HistoryThe gram panchayat of the village Ajanale was established in 1951. Until 1972, the villagers were largely shepherds. Their main income came from an employment guarantee scheme implemented by the government. In 1972, this village was selected for the development scheme entitled ‘Krushi Pandhari’. Under this scheme, certain select villages were given aid in agriculture by helping them conserve water. This was especially needed in a drought prone region like Solapur. Under this scheme, Ajanale saw the construction of several bunds and percolation tanks. “Paani Adwaa, Paani Jirava” (stop water, help water percolate) was the slogan to promote percolation of water in this dry region. This started the process of raising the water tables in this region.