MUMBAI: A group of young farmers from Nashik were in Mumbai for the first time this week, that too at the home of the Australian Consul-General’s residence in Breach Candy where they spoke candidly on how they are now no longer waiting for the rains to decide their future. Until recently, most of them depended on small, uncertain farm incomes or daily wage labour that fetched barely Rs 200 a day.Work was irregular, and aspirations, as one of them put it, were “unclear”.Today, they are solar technicians. Trained under a skilling initiative led by the Swades Foundation, with support from the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai under its Direct Aid Programe these youth are now installing solar panels in schools and nearby areas—sometimes even in their own villages.“For the first time, I feel I have a direction,” said one trainee named Ganesh Gawli, who completed a 45-day course in photovoltaic (PV) installation recently. Another added that his earnings have risen to between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 a month—often supplementing farm work rather than replacing it. What has changed is not just income, but outlook.In some cases, trainees have formed small groups to take on larger projects. One such group recently secured a contract to install solar systems across multiple schools—work that would have been unimaginable earlier.The ripple effects are visible back home. Families that once struggled with basic expenses now speak of steady income. Even something as simple as affording mobile data is no longer a concern.Speaking about the initiative, “Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Nashik and witness the impact of these interventions firsthand. It was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had in India—seeing how these efforts transform lives. We focused on skill development, particularly training tribal communities to become solar technicians. This aligns with Australia’s economic roadmap for engagement with India and our shared commitment to renewable energy,” said Paul Murphy, Australian Consul-General.Zarina Screwvala, Co-Founder, Swades Foundation meanwhile said, “We deeply value that our partners engage with communities on the ground. Seeing the impact firsthand makes all the difference.”
