AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

FIBRES

Cotton, Deccan hemp (ambadi) and Sann-hemp are the fibre-crops grown in the district. They occupied an area of 3,25,652 hectares in 1961-62 as compared to 3,41,405 hectares in 1971-72. The following fables give the total area and outturn of fibres in each tahsil of the district for 1961-62, 1965-66, 1970-71 and 1971-72.

TABLE No. 19

Area under Fibres in Akola District in 1961-62, 1965-66,
1970-71 and 1971-72

(Area in hectares)

TABLE No. 20

Outturn of Fibres in Akola District in 1961-62, 1965-66 and 1970-71

(In M. Tonnes)

Cotton : Among the non-food crops, cotton occupied an important place in the district. In 1961 the proportion of area under cotton (41.07 per cent) was nearly three times larger than the State average Akot tahsil had the largest proportion (54.59 per cent) of area under cotton. In the year 1971-72; 3,39,250 hectares of land was under cultivation of cotton.

Cotton crop is generally grown in heavy, medium and black alluvial soils and requires rainfall ranging from 25" to 95". It grows well in warm and humid climate. One ploughing after every three years is necessary. The sowing is done in the months of June-July. The seed at the rate of 10 to 12 lbs. per acre is sown on chaufuli and is dibbled by hand and the individual plant is watered. As the crop requires heavy manuring, 10 cart loads of farm yard manure is applied before sowing. Artificial manure of 20 lbs. of N₂ and 10 lbs. of P₂ O₅ per acre is generally given to the unirrigated crop, as against 40 kg of N₂ and 20 kg of P₂ O₅ to the irrigated crop. About 4 to 5 hoeings and 3 to 4 weeding are given to the crop. The crop flowers in about four months from sowing. Picking starts in about 170 to 180 days after sowing. The crop yields about 200 to 250 lbs. per acre.

Deccan Hemp : Deccan hemp (ambadi) is a kharif crop and is not exacting in its requirements. The crop grows best in alluvial and medium deep soils. It is grown as a mixed crop with jowar, bajri or pulses. The sowing season starts in June-July and the crop is harvested in August-September. The plants are uprooted, dried in the sun and after a few days tied into bundles. The seed is removed from the capsule by beating. When the crop is raised for fibre, the plants are pulled out and are placed standing in water where they are allowed to rot. The fibre is stripped by hand by threshing.

In 1961-62, an area of 1,480 hectares was under this crop as against 1,241 hectares in 1965-66. Under ideal conditions the crop yields about 1,000 lbs. per acre.

Sann Hemp : It. is also a kharif crop and is grown on a small scale in the district. It covered an area of 860 hectares in 1961-62 out of a total area of 3,25,652 hectares under fibres. In the year 1965-66 it covered an area of 1,355 hectares.

The crop is grown in clayey loams and black soils. It requires 20'' to 30" of rainfall. The sowing season starts in June-July and the crop matures within 140 days. 5 cart-loads of farm yard manure and 30 lbs. of N₂ is applied. The seeds are sown at the rate of 35 lbs. per acre. The sann hemp is also grown for production of fibres. The stalks are cither cut or uprooted, and arc placed in water for retting. After a period of one week bundles are taken out of water and the bark is peeled off and beaten on stone and washed in water.

TOP