Sharad Pawar is one of eleven children born to Govindrao Pawar, and his wife, Shardabai Pawar. The ancestors of Govindrao had moved to Baramati from the nearby Satara district. Govindrao had a long career in Baramati Farmers' Cooperative (Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Sangh). He also managed Shahu boarding, a students' hostel, in the 1940s. In 1950s he was instrumental in setting up cooperative sugar mills in the Baramati region. Shardabai Pawar was also elected to the district local board three times between 1937 and 1952. and also looked after the family farm at Katewadi, ten kilometres from Baramati.