AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Agronomic research and education are of prime importance in agricultural economy. The development of agriculture under a planned economy has made research one of the fundamentals of agricultural planning. Intensive cultivation, which is an integral part of the strategy of agricultural planning, depends upon research and propaganda in respect of scientific methods of cultivation, crop rotation, and protection of crops from pests and diseases. Considerable progress has been made in the field of agricultural research and education. The agricultural class is receiving the benefits of research and education conducted by Government.

The Government conducts research farm stations at Achalpur and Amravati. The Achalpur farm, established in 1927, is by far the oldest farm commanding an area of 121.905 hectares (301 acres). The Amravati farm, which was established in 1954-55, has a total area of 163.620 hectares (404 acres). Various agronomical and other experiments are carried out on these farms. Research on agronomic aspects is done in case of crops like cotton, groundnut, jowar, tobacco and chilli. Suitability of new varieties of the crops evolved by the Department of Agriculture is tried on these farms before they are released for distribution to the farmers.

A breeding centre of American cotton works at Achalpur. An improved variety, viz., Buri 107, is evolved from the parent variety. Further reselection from Buri 107 was developed and a still improved strain of Buri 0394 was released from this centre. Recently, a further selection from 0394 was successfully done and an improved strain known as Buri 147 was released for the farmers. This variety has the quality of being long staple and ginning higher percentage. Its yield is also higher. Besides the research work, nucleus seed of improved varieties of different crops is also supplied to the farmers from these farms.

Seed multiplication.

With a view to providing better seeds to farmers in the district and to covering the entire area under improved varieties, the government has established nine taluka seed multiplication farms in the district. They are at Achalpur, Anjangaon, Chandur Bazar, Yeral, Dhanora, Teosa, Walgaon, Kusumkol and Chandur Railway. Seed multiplication work is confined mainly to crops like cotton, jowar, groundnut and wheat. The nucleus seed produced at the research centre is multiplied on these farms and is then released to the cultivators.

Table No. 28 gives statistics of production of seeds at Government farms in the district.

TABLE No. 28

STATEMENT SHOWING PRODUCTION OF SEEDS ON GOVERNMENT FARMS AND TALUKA SEED FARMS IN AMRAVATI

DISTRICT DURING 1958-59. [Figures in brackets are in lbs.]

(Figures in kilograms)

Soil Conservation. Agricultural Education.

There is a soil conservation laboratory at Achalpur. Experi-ments pertaining to soil erosion are carried out at this labora-tory. Analysis of soil samples is also made.

Agricultural education was initiated in this district with a view to combining primary education with lessons in agricul- tural practice. The Vidya Mandir Plots, established with that avowed purpose, have been attached to three primary schools in the district. The plots are situated at Thilore, Wadgaon and Satephal.

The Shivaji Education Society has been doing pioneering work in the field of agricultural as well as rural education. The Shivaji Maratha High School, an institution run by the above Society, has been imparting training in agriculture since 1943. The Shivaji Education Society has been managing a few other institutions, which also provide facilities for agricultural edu-cation. These institutions are Janata College, Amravati, Basic Agricultural School, Amravati, Rural Institute, Amravati and a full-Hedged College of Agriculture.

The Janata College provides for a two-years' course in agri-cultural training. The students completing the course of studies in this institution are absorbed in the Agriculture Department as Agriculture Assistants. The Basic Agricultural School con-ducts a two-year's integrated course for Gram Sevaks (village level workers). The Gram Sevaks are appointed in the national extension blocks after the completion of the course of studies prescribed for them. The Rural Institute also conducts training in rural sciences, agriculture being the most prominent among them. The students trained in this Institute are absorbed in the Agriculture Department.

The Agricultural College started in July 1959 is affiliated to the University of Nagpur. It provides training facilities up to graduation level.

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