INDUSTRIES

section ii-COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

General Description: Since time immemorial villages in the country have maintained their autonomy in the political sphere and self-sufficient character in the economic set-up. Though these villages lost their self-sufficient character due to the complexities in the economic development, village and cottage industries have always remained an important factory in the industrial structure of the State. Akola district with 77.90 per cent of its population living in rural areas is no exception to the traditions of the Indian village industry. Agro-based industries are commonly found in the district. The employment in non-agricultural industries leans heavily towards village and cottage industries where village artisans work on traditional lines with the locally available raw materials and for local demand using old and perhaps now obsolete methods. These industries are less sophisticated in their demand for technical skills, as compared with mechanised industries, and they provide a supplementary source of livelihood to the rural population of the district. Handloom weaving, handicrafts and professions like carpentry, brick making, pottery, oil ghanis etc. are some of the important industries of this category in the district.

As per 1961 Census, of the 28,388 workers engaged in industries, 13,407 i. e., 47.23 per cent were working in household industries and the remaining were working in registered factories and non-household industries. The following table gives the classification of the persons engaged in household industry in Akola district as per the 1971 Census.

TABLE No. 12

Household Industry Establishments, and persons engaged therein, Akola District 1971

Handloom and Powerloom Weaving. Handloom weaving has been the age old occupation in the country. It is said that one third of the cloth consumed in the country is produced by hand-loom. The village weaver was the only craftsman who broke through the circle of village self-sufficiency, and found an outlet for his products in places far away from his village.

Now-a-days at many places powerlooms have been substituted in place of handlooms. The occupation got fillip due to the World War ii and the non-Co-operation Movement started by Gandhiji during the thirties of the current century. Cotton weaving in handlooms and powerlooms is common in some parts of the district. The number of persons engaged in cotton weaving in hand-looms was 473 as per the Census of 1961. These persons were spread all over the district especially in Akot, Washim and Balapur. At the end of May 1961, there were 2,021 cotton hand-looms in the district. The industry is, however, on the decline due to competition from the goods manufactured in mills. Most of the persons previously engaged in this industry are forced to seek alternate employment. Efforts are being made to revive the industry by bringing the workers under co-operative fold.

Table No. 13 gives the statistics regarding handlooms and powerlooms in the district during 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1965-66.

TABLE No. 13

Statistics relating to Handlooms and Powerlooms for the years 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1965-66 in Akola District

* Under liquidation. Hence Nil.

In order to extend the benefits of the co-operative movement to the artisans and craftsmen engaged in the industry and with a view to make them withstand the competition from machine-made goods, co-operative weavers' societies have been established in the district. In 1962-63, there were six such societies with a membership of 1,114. The number of societies and their membership for 1960-61 and 1961-62 was 7 and 1,196 and 6 and 1,110, respectively. During the year 1965-66 there were 7 handloom weavers' societies with 1,067 members. The share capital of these societies was Rs. 27,000 with reserve and other funds amounting to Rs. 66,000 and working capital of Rs. 3,13,000. An amount of Rs. 47,000 was distributed to co-operatives of handloom weavers for organising development programmes for increasing production during the Third Five Year Plan period.

Oil Seed crushing. Oil seed crushing was once a very important cottage industry. It was worked mainly under animal power. Prior to the advent of oil-milling as a mechanised industry, the oilmen used to cater to the requirements' of the entire population. With the mechanisation of the industry, the condition of the oil-man became weaker in the economic structure of the rural as well as the urban areas.

However the district being an oil seed producing area oil seed crushing industry provides employment to many artisans in the district. With a view to making them face effectively the competition from oil-mills, efforts are being made to unite them under the co-operative fold, and thus secure for them the advantages of large-scale purchases, sale of their products, etc.

The main centres where crushing of oil-seeds is carried on are Akola, Borgaon, Pinjar, Alegaon, Malegaon, Washim, Risod. Mangrulpir. Murtizapur, Karanja and Akot. There were 28 oil-crushing establishments in the rural areas of the district that provided employment to 47 persons as per the Census of 1961.

In 1960, there were three co-operative societies of oil-men in the district. Two societies of them were provided financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 28,447 between 1954-55 and 1959-60. During 1960-61 and 1961-62 there were two oil ghani societies in the district with a membership of 58 and 48, respectively. The number of such societies rose from 3 in 1961-62 to 4 in 1962-63 as also the membership which rose from 48 in 1961-62 to 72 in 1962-63.

Of the 10 institutions which worked 36 ghanis, only two institutions worked 5 Nutan ghanis during the period from April 1968 to March 1969. Two institutions were engaged in the manufacture of non-edible oil and soap. All these institutions were provided guidance and assistance by the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board.

Carpentry: Traditionally the village carpenter like the village blacksmith, the weaver, the tanner and the potter supplied the needs of the local community and was remunerated by a share in the grain produced. However, such a system of payment is not in vogue now though it still can be found in some part of the district. By and large the carpenters were engaged in the manufacture of ploughs.

During the years 1960-61, 1961-62 and 1962-63, there were 8 carpentry co-operative societies with 129 members, 7 with 134 members and 7 with 129 members, respectively.

The main centres of carpentry in the district are at Akola, Kapsi, Borgaon, Barshi Takli, Rajanda, Mahan, Balapur, Paras, Nimbha, Wadegaon, Patur, Malegaon, Shirpur, Washim, Ansin, Risod, Murtizapur, Mana, Hirpur, Karanja, Kamargaon, Umarda, Akot, Akoli Jahangir, Sawra, Dahihanda, Telhara, Hiwarkhed, Mangrulpir, Shelubazar, Manora and Shendona.

The carpenters at Patur engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements have formed a co-operative society. As all the members of the society were skilled artisans, the society was required to pay higher amount by way of wages. The society therefore, purchased a wood cutting machine to put production on a quicker basis.

Pottery making. Another occupation that is grouped together with blacksmithy, carpentry, weaving and tanning under the village subsistence industries is pottery making. Traditionally the local potters supplied utensils for cooking or for storing water when the village was a self-sufficient economic unit. Besides manufacturing vessels and dishes required for daily use, the potters made toys and images of various deities. Pottery making was the hereditary calling of the kumbhars.

The tools of a potter consisted of wooden or an earthen wheel which is known as potter's wheel, brick-kiln for baking earthen pots and wooden moulds of various shapes and sizes for making vessels, dishes, tiles, images, toys, etc. The manufacturing activity of the potters is in full swing during the summer season. During the rains they are engaged in making toys, dolls and idols for festive season. Many of them also undertake the manufacture of bricks. A potter earns about Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per day.

As on 30th June 1960, there were nine co-operative societies of potters and brick makers. These societies were provided financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 10,451 between 1954-55 and 1959-60.

During the year 1960-61, there were 10 pottery societies in the district with a membership of 134. Though the number of societies rose to 11 in 1961-62, the number of members decreased to 124. During the year 1962-63 the number of societies remained stationary at 11 while membership rose to 134.

The main centres of pottery and brick making industries in the district were Akola, Ugwada, Borgaon, Gandhigram, Barshi Takli, Mahan, Rajanda, Nimbi, Balapur, Wadegaon, Hata, Andhora, Patur, Babhulgaon, Shirala, Malegaon, Shirpur, Sawargaon, Washim, Pardi, Ausing, Risod, Mangrulpir, Shelubazar, Manora, Giroli, Kondoli, Gawha, Murtizapur, Mana, Lakhpuri, Kurum, Rajura, Saroda, Paras, Karanja, Kamargaon, Umarda, Akot, Malegaon, Korodi, Chouhatta, Sawra, Telhara, Hiwarkhed, Belkhed and Raundala.

During the year 1968-69, the potters and brick makers were provided financial assistance by the Maharashtra Khadi and Village Industries Board to the extent of about Rs. 65,000. They manufactured 12,24,550 bricks valued at about Rs. 58,000. The industry provided employment to 162 workers who were paid about Rs. 16,700 by way of wages during the year.

Blacksmithy. Blacksmithy is a hereditary occupation of the lohar who formerly was a member of the class of balutedars and an integral part of the rural economy.

The tools and equipment of a blacksmith consist of anvil, furnace, bellows. sledge hammers, sandashi, files and chisels. The materials used by a blacksmith comprise iron-sheets with gauges varying from 10 to 30, round bars and flat bars. Old tins and scrap materials are used for repair works. The capital invested by an individual blacksmith ranges between Rs. 300 and Rs. 500.

As per the 1911 Census there were 1,301 persons engaged under 'other workers in iron and makers of implements and tools, principally or exclusively of iron.' As per the Census of 1921, 1,011 persons were enumerated under the same heading. The Census of 1931 reported 1,256 persons as 'blacksmiths, other workers in iron and makers of implements.' As per the Census of 1951, there were in the district 1,031 persons grouped under 'black smiths, horse-shoers and other workers in iron and makers of implements.'

As on 30th June 1960 there were four co-operative societies of carpenters and blacksmiths. One of these societies was given finacial assistance to the extent of Rs. 7,000 during the period from 19541-55 to 1959-00. The Maharashtra State Khadi and village Industries Board extended an assistance of Rs. 250 in the year 1968-69.

The main centres of blacksmithy in the district are Akola, Borgaon, Barshi Takli, Pinjar, Balapur, Patur, Malegaon, Shirpur Washim, Arising, Kata, Risod. Mangrulpir, Manora, Murtizapur, Lakhpuri, Kurum. Karanja, Akot, Chauhatta, Telhara. Hiwarkhed and Raundala.

Leather Working. Leather workers are found in almost all towns and large villages in the district. The industry was in the past and even now it continues in most of the cases to be a hereditary occupation of chambhars. Leather workers always held an important position in the rural economy. However their economic position has much deteriorated of late with the introduction of machine made leather goods which have better finishing and are cheaper than the indigenous products.

The 1911 Census states that there were 31 persons engaged as makers of leather articles, such as trunks, water bags, etc. The 1921 Census reported only 0 persons working as makers of leather articles. Such as trunks water bags, harness, etc., excluding articles of dress.' There were 644 worker under the heading 'working in leather' according to the Census of 1931. As per the 1951 Census there were 1,306 persons working in 'leather, leather pro-duels and footwear.' As per the 1961 Census, 1,214 persons were working in 'leather and leather products'.

As on 30th June 1960, there were in the district eight co-operative societies of leather workers. Of these three were provided financial assistance to the extent of about Rs. 16,600 during the period from 1954-55 to 1959-60. The number of societies remained stationary during 1960-61, 1961-62 and 1962-63 though their membership declined from 281 in 1960-61 to 242 in 1961-62 and to 224 in 1962-63.

A few societies of leather workers get financial and other assistance from the Maharashtra Stale Khadi and Village Industries Board.

The main centres of leather working in the district are Akola, Dondwada, Borgaon, Kapsi, Barshi Takli, Rajanda, Balapur, Nimbha, Andora, Paras, Patur, Sasti, Babhulgaon, Malegaon, Wadegaon, Shirpur, Washim, Arising, Kata, Risod, Mangrulpir, Shelubazar, Manora, Sakhardoh, Giroli, Karkhed, Murtizapur, Lakhpuri, Maha, Hirpur, Kurum, Akot, Akoli, Jahangir, Sanwra, Telhara and Hiwarkhed.

Tanning. Tanning is an hereditary occupation of Chambhars, The tanning process is indigenous. Hides are dipped in lime water for a few hours to separate the hair, the fat and the fleshy part from them. The tanners use a knife (rapi) for skinning the hide and removing these elements. They are then worked and soaked in a solution of babhul bark and myrobalan mixed in water. To tan the hide thoroughly the soaking is repeated thrice. The hide is formed into a bag and hung up filled with a stronger solution of babhul bark and myrobalan water and left thus for seven days. Then it is washed and dried.

The age old tanning process adopted by the tanners in the district hardly enables their product to compete with leather tanned industrially. However, indigenous leather is considered good for making rough foot wear and other articles required for agriculture. Most of the leather tanned in the district is utilised by the local leather working establishments.

Raw hides, hirda (myrobalan) and babhul bark are the chief requirements of a tanner. Tools and equipment of a tanner consist of lime and tanning pits, wooden mallets, rapis, aris, barrels, etc.

As per the 1911 Census there were 240 persons working as 'tanners, curriers, leather dressers and dyers, etc' Under the same heading the 1921 Census recorded 89 persons.

As on 30th June 1960, there were two co-operative societies of tanners in the district. One of them was provided financial assistance to the extent of about Rs. 5,300 between 1954-55 and 1959-60 by the Government.

During 1960-61. there were in the district two tannery societies with a membership of 53. The number of societies decreased to one with a membership of 28 in 1961-62 and again rose to 3 with a membership of 47 in 1962-63.

Neera and Palmgur Industry. In the district there were four institutions conducting Neera and Palmgur industry during 1968-69. However, only two were working during the year. One of the institutions was provided financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 150 by the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board.

During the year 1968-69, the institution provided employment to 22 workers who received an amount of about Rs. 2,700 by way of wages.

Gur and Khandsari. In 1964-65, only 419 hectares of land was under sugarcane cultivation and as such manufacture of gul and sugar is only confined to such centres where sugarcane is produced.

As per the 1951 Census 21 persons were engaged in the manufacture of gur. As per the Census of 1961, there were 15 establishments manufacturing indigenous sugar, gur, etc. These provided employment to 47 persons, all in urban areas.

Three units are engaged in the manufacture of gur and khandsari under the auspices of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board. They produced gul, 477 quintals in quantity and provided employment to 28 persons who were paid Rs. 28,000 by way of wages during 1968-69.

The main centres of gur making in the district are Patur, Akola, Shirla, Telhara, Belkhed, Akot and Malegaon.

Hand-made Paper. Hand-made paper industry is not to he found in the district now. However Hand-made paper was manufactured in the district when the old Akola District Gazetteer was published in 1910.

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