AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

LAND UTILISATION

The total geographical area of the district in 1960-61 was 1,220,615.730 hectares (3,013,866 acres). Table No. 5 gives a statement of cultivated and uncultivated area in Amravati district in 1958-59, 1959-60 and 1960-61.

TABLE No. 5

CULTIVATED AND UNCULTIVATED AREA IN EACH TALUKA OF AMRAVATI DISTRICT-1958-59, 1959-60 AND 1960-61

(In hectares)

Taluka

Year

Total geographical area

Forests

Barren and unculturable land

Land put to non-agricultural uses

Culturable waste

Permanent pastures and other grazing lands

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Amravati

1958-59

220,858.650 (545,330)

12,836.070 (31,694)

3,561.975 (8,795)

5,973.345 (14,749)

4,388.175 (10,835)

11,034.225 (27,245)

1959-60

220,858.650 (545,330)

12,836.070 (31,694)

3,561.975 (8,795)

5,973.345 (14,749)

4,388.175 (10,835)

11,034.225 (27,245)

1960-61

220,858.650 (545,330)

12,957.570 (31,994)

3,561.975 (8,795)

5,973.345 (14,749)

3,938.625 (9,725)

11,034.225 (27,245)

Chandur

1958-59

179,760.465 (443,853)

10,086.120 (24,904)

2,285.415 (5,643)

3,500.820 (8,644)

4,616.190 (11,398)

14,547.600 (35,920)

1959-60

179,760.465 (443,853)

8,875.170 (21,914)

2,104.785 (5,197)

3,517.830 (8,686)

4,878.225 (12,045)

15,898.680 (39,256)

1960-61

179,760.465 (443,853)

8,875.170 (21,914)

2,104.785 (5,197)

3,523.500 (8,700)

5,207.085 (12,857)

15,859.800 (39,160)

Morshi

1958-59

161,537.895 (398,859)

9,692.055 (23,931)

2,418.660 (5,972)

5,951.475 (14,695)

2,556.360 (6,312)

9,908.730 (24,466)

1959-60

161,537.895 (398,859)

9,692.055 (23,931)

2,418.660 (5,972)

5,951.475 (14,695)

2,556.360 (6,312)

9,908.730 (24,466)

1960-61

161,537.895 (398,859)

9,692.055 (23,931)

2,418.660 (5,972)

5,951.475 (14,695)

2,556.360 (6,312)

9,908.730 (24,466)

Daryapur

1958-59

131,275.485 (324,137)

1,218.645 (3,009)

1,589.220 (3,924)

3,407.265 (8,413)

1,074.060 (2,652)

2,811.510 (6,942)

1959-60

131,275.485 (324,137)

1,204.065 (2,973)

1,587.600 (3,920)

3,639.330 (8,986)

1,351.485 (3,337)

2,822.040 (6,968)

1960-61

131,275.485 (324,137)

1,112.535 (2,747)

1,586.790 (3,918)

3,639.330 (8,986)

1,103.220 (2,724)

2,547.045 (6,289)

Achalpur

1958-59

12,707.840 (315,328)

5,048.325 (12,465)

2,293.110 (5,662)

4,287.735 (10,587)

1,818.855 (4,491)

5,656.230 (13,966)

1959-60

12,707.840 (315,328)

5,048.325 (12,465)

2,293.110 (5,662)

4,287.735 (10,587)

1,818.855 (4,491)

4,966.920 (12,264)

1960-61

12,707.840 (315,328)

5,048.325 (12,465)

2,293.110 (5,662)

4,287-735 (10,587)

1,818.855 (4,491)

4,966.920 (12,264)

Melghat

1958-59

399,475.395 (986,359)

312,434.010 (771,442)

4,309.200 (10,640)

3,605.310 (8,902)

4,795.200 (11,840)

12,428.640 (30,688)

1959-60

399,475.395 (986,359)

312,434.010 (771,442)

4,185.270 (10,334)

4,039.875 (9,975)

10,595.610 (26,162)

10,246.905 (25,301)

1960-61

399,475.395 (986,359)

312,434.010 (771,442)

4,185.270 (10,334)

4,039.875 (9,975)

10,607.760 (26,192)

10,246.905 (25,301)

District Total

1,220,615.730 (3,013,866)

351,315.225 (867,445)

16,457.580 (40,636)

26,725.950 (65,990)

19,248.840 (47,528)

56,386.935 (139,227)

1,220,615.730 (3,013,866)

350,089.695 (864,419)

16,151.400 (39,880)

27,409.590 (67,678)

25,588.710 (63,182)

54,877.500 (135,500)

1,220,615.730 (3,013,866)

350,119.665 (864,493)

16,150.590 (39,878)

27,415.260 (62,692)

25,231.905 (62,301)

54,567.625 (134,725)

Note.-Figures in brackets are in acres.

TABLE No. 5-cont.

Taluka

Year

Land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves not included in area sown

Current fallows

Other fallows

Net area sown

Area sown more than once

Total cropped area

(1)

(2)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Amravati

1958-59

1,600.155 (3,951)

1,567.755 (3,871)

6,535.485 (16,137)

173,361.465 (428,053)

1,093.500 (2,700)

174,454.965 (430,753)

1959-60

1,600.155 (3,951)

2,214.945 (5,469)

7,047.000 (17,400)

172,202.760 (425,192)

1,204.875 (2,975)

171407.635 (428,167)

1960-61

1,600.155 (3,951)

648.810 (1,602)

3,568.455 (8,811)

177,696.990 (438,758)

1,191.915 (2,943)

178,888.905 (441,701)

Chandur

1958-59

1,524.420 (3,764)

2,044.440 (5,048)

7,858.620 (19,404)

133,296.840 (329,128)

492.885 (1,217)

133,789.725 (330,345)

1959-60

1,064.340 (2,628)

2,308.095 (5,699)

7,842.420 (19,364)

13,370.920 (329,064)

734.670 (1,814)

134,005.590 (330,878)

1960-61

950.130 (2,346)

1,411.425 (3,485)

7,274.610 (17,962)

134,553.960 (332,232)

739.125 (1,825)

135,293085 (334,057)

Morshi

1958-59

2,100.735 (5,187)

1,180.575 (2,915)

10,404.045 (25,689)

117,325.260 (289,692)

261.630 (646)

117,586.890 (290,338)

1959-60

2,343.735 (5,787)

1,995.840 (4,928)

10,477.755 (25,871)

116,193.285 (286,897)

793.395 (1,959)

116,581.680 (288,856)

1960-61

2,343.735 (5,787)

1,996.245 (4,929)

10,477.755 (25,871)

116,193.285 (286,897)

388395 (959)

116,581.680 (287,856)

Daryapur

1958-59

324.405 (801)

320.355 (791)

2,486.295 (6,139)

118,043.730 (291,466)

236.520 (584)

118,280.250 (292,050)

1959-60

531.360 (1,312)

539.460 (1,332)

2,835.000 (7,000)

116,765.145 (288,309)

468.585 (1,157)

116,423.730 (289,466)

1960-61

531.360 (1,312)

483.975 (1,195)

2,847.960 (7,032)

117,425.700 (289,940)

329.670 (814)

117,755.370 (290,754)

Achalpur

1958-59

1,034.370 (2,554)

633.420 (1,564)

4.578.525 (11,305)

102,357.270 (252,734)

723.330 (1,786)

103,080.600 (254,520)

1959-60

1,035.180 (2,556)

631.395 (1,559)

4,578.525 (11,305)

103,047.795 (254,439)

729.000 (1,800)

103,776.795 (256,239)

1960-61

1,035.180 (2,556)

631.395 (1,559)

3,226.230 (7,966)

104,400.090 (257,778)

682020 (1,684)

105,082.110 (259,462)

Melghat

1958-59

5,272.290 (13,018)

5,046.300 (12,460)

21,297.330 (52,586)

30,287.115 (74,783)

847.260 (2,092)

31,134.375 (76,875)

1959-60

5,399.865 (13,333)

2,039.175 (5,035)

20,273.085 (50,057)

30,260.385 (74,717)

1,111.320 (2,744)

31,371.705 (77,461)

1960-61

5,399.865 (13,333)

2,039.175 (5,035)

17,357.085 (42,857)

33,165.450 (81,890)

1,146.555 (2,831)

34,314.435 (84,721)

District Total

11,856.375 (29,275)

10,792.845 (26,649)

53,160.300 (131,260)

674,671.680 (1,665,856)

3,655.125 (9,025)

678,326.805 (1,674,881)

11,974.635 (29,567)

9,728.910 (24,022)

53,053.785 (130,997)

671,740.290 (1,658,618)

5,041.845 (12,449)

676,782.135 (1,671,067)

11,860.425 (29,285)

7,211.025 (17,805)

44,752.095 (110,499)

683,435.475 (1,687,495)

4,477.680 (11,056)

687,913.155 (1,698,551)

The percentage of cultivated area to the total area in the district was 56.6 but it varied from taluka to taluka, the highest being 89.8 in Daryapur taluka and the lowest being 8.8 in Melghat taluka.

Forest Area.

The forests in the district are broadly divided into two groups, viz., (1) Forests of Melghat and (2) Forests in the Plains. The forests of Melghat occupy the Gawilgad ranges of Satpuda hills which form the catchment area of important rivers, such as, the Tapi and the Wardha. The terrain is hilly and needs to be under systematic forest management for the conservation of soil and moisture. These forests are teak bearing with a high potential and capable of yielding big size timber. Hence they assume considerable importance and constitute an asset from the point of view of timber production. At present they are scientifically managed under an approved Working Plan. Forests in the plains meet the immediate requirements of agricultural population such as fuel, small-size timber, grass and grazing facilities all of which are continuously in demand. These forests are also under a sanctioned Working Plan. Some plots are maintained by State in Melghat forest for the purpose of carrying on research. Table No. 6 indicates the distribution of the forest area under the two departments in 1960-61.

TABLE No. 6

DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST AREA (TALUKA-WISE) IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT, 1960-61

(In hectares)

Range

Talukas (Whole or part) included in the range

Forest in charge of Forest Department

Reserved

(1)

(2)

A Class
 (3)

C Class
 (4)

Total
(5)

Semadoh

Melghat (Part)

26,316.495 (64,979)

--

26,316.495 (64,979)

Raipur

Do.

28,599.885 (70,617)

--

28,599.885 (70,617)

Khandu

Do.

39,010.410 (96,322)

--

39,010.410 (96,322)

Chaurakund

Do.

27,967.275 (69,055)

--

27,967.275 (69,055)

Dharni

Do.

15,712.785 (38,797)

--

15,712.785 (38,797)

Gugamal

Do.

42,218.415 (104,243)

--

42,218.415 (104,243)

Dhulghat

Do.

56,98.880 (140,696)

--

56,981.880 (140,696)

 

continued..

Range

Protected

Forest in charge of Revenue Department

Total

(1)

(6)

Reserved

 

(7)

Protected

 

(8)

Reserved [Col. (5)+(7)]
 

(9)

Protected [Col. (6)+ (8)]
 

(10)

Semadoh

--

Nil

11,725.155 (28,951)

26,316.495 (64,979)

(For whole Melghat taluka).

Raipur

--

--

in Melghat taluka.

28,599.885 (70,617)

11,725.155
 (28,951)

Khandu

--

--

--

39,010.410 (96,322)

--

Chaurakund

--

--

--

27,967.275 (69,055)

--

Dharni

2,627.235 (6,487)

--

--

15,712.785 (38,797)

2,627.235
(6,487)

Gugamal

--

--

--

42,218.415 (104,243)

--

Dhulghat

2,713.905 (6,701)

--

--

56,981.880 (140,696)

2,713905
(6,701)

TABLE No. 6-cont.

DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST AREA (TALUKA-WISE) IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT, 1960-61

(In hectares)

Range

Talukas (Whole or part) included in the range

Forest in charge of Forest Department

Reserved

(1)

(2)

A Class
 (3)

C Class
 (4)

Total
(5)

Khirpani

Part of Daryapur taluka.

41,301.090

959.040

42,260.130

(101,978)

(2,368)

(104,346)

Chikhaldara

Melghat (Part) and whole of Achal- pur and Darya pur Talukas.

28,766346

 

 

(71,028)

 

 

3,027.780

5,124.465

37,120.275

(7,476)

(12,653)

(91,655)

(498)

 

 

Amravati

Amravati

(Whole)

6,136.560

5,650.155

25,961.715

(15,152)

(13,951)

(64,103)

Chandur

17,559.325

6,615.675

 

(18,665)

(16,335)

 

Morshi

Morshi (Whole)

11,001.015

9,573.795

20,574.810

(27,163)

(23,639)

(50,802)

Amravati District

334,800.945

27,923.130

362,724.075

(826,669)

(68,946)

(895,615)

 

continued..

Range

Talukas (Whole or part) included in the range

Protected

Forest in charge of Revenue Department

Total

(1)

(2)

(6)

Reserved

 (7)

Protected

(8)

Reserved [Col. (5)+(7)]
(9)

Protected [Col. (6)+ (8)]
(10)

Khirpani

Part of Daryapur taluka.

2,824.875

 

 

42,260.130

2,824.875

(6,975)

(104,346)

(6,975)

Chikhaldara

Melghat (Part) and whole of Achal- pur and Darya pur Talukas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

196.425

37,120.275

196.425

(485)

(91,665)

(485)

 

 

 

Amravati

Amravati

--

--

--

25,961.715

--

--

--

(64,103)

Chandur

--

--

--

 

--

--

--

 

Morshi

Morshi (Whole)

--

--

--

20,574.810

--

--

--

(50,802)

Amravati District

8,362.440

Nil

11,725.155

362,724.075

20,087.595

(20,648)

(28,951)

(895,615)

(49,599)

Note.-Figures in brackets are in acres.

Forests Produce.

The principal forest produce comprised timber, bamboos, firewood, fodder grass and minerals. The minor forest produce included harra, gum, fruits, tendu leaves and russa grass. The aggregate value of total forest produce in 1960-61 amounted to Rs. 40,76,302. Table No. 7 gives details regarding the output and value of forest produce in Amravati district in 1960-61.

TABLE No. 7

OUTPUT AND VALUE OF FOREST PRODUCE IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT, 1960-61

Forest Produce

Quantity

Value

(1)

(2)

(3)

  

Rs.

Timber in C.ft.

611,845 (17,131.660 Cu. metres)

36,71,070

Fire wood in C.ft.

88,843 (2,487.604 Cu. metres)

1,11,116

Bamboos Nos.

28,82,851

1,77,342

Fodder grass in Tons

1,413 (1,435.608 Metric tons)

57,316

Minerals in C.ft.

--

45,061

Miscellaneous in Tons

--

369

Harra in Mds.

80 (29.86 Quintals)

160

Gum in Mds.

31 (11.57 Quintals)

1,250

Fruits in Mds.

4,l93(l,564.99Quintals)

4,193

Tendu leaves in Mds.

2,400 (895.78 Quintals)

1,200

Russa grass in Mds.

7,225 (2,696.66 Quintals)

7,225

Cropped Area.

The gross cropped area of the district in 1960-61 was 687792.870 hectares (16,98,254 acres), of which the area cropped more than once was 4477.680 hectares (11,056 acres), the net cropped area being 683315.190 hectares (16,87,198 acres). Table Nos. 8 and 9 show the taluka-wise distribution of kharif and rabi food and non-food crops in 1960-61 and taluka-wise area under different crops in 1960-61, respectively.

TABLE No. 8

DISTRIBUTION OF CROPPED AREA (TALUKAWISE), IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT. 1960-61

(In hectares)

Taluka

Gross Cropped area

Kharif

Rabi

Total

Food Crops

Non-food Crops

Food Crops

Non-food Crops

Food Crops [Cols. (2)+ (4)]

Non-food Crops (Cols. (3)+(5)]

(1)

 (2)

(3)

 (4)

 (5)

(6)

(7)

Amravati

66,119.490 (163,258)

91,945.935 (227,027)

18,412.920 (45,464)

2,410.560 (5,952)

84,532.410 (208,722)

94,356.495 (232,979)

Chandur

56,336.715 (139,103)

74,215.035 (183,247)

4,140.720 (10,224)

600.615 (1,483)

60,477.435 (149,327)

74,815.650 (184,730)

Morshi

49,377.600 (121,920)

62,697.645 (154,809)

4,308.390 (10,638)

198045 (489)

53,685.990 (132,558)

62,895.690 (155,298)

Daryapur

33,067.035 (81,647)

64,095.300 (158,260)

16,779.960 (41,432)

3,691.575 (9,115)

49,846.995 (123,079)

67,786.875 (167,375)

Achalpur

37,797.030 (93,326)

62,582.220 (154,524)

4,465.125 (11,025)

237.735 (587)

42,262.155 (104,351)

62,819.955 (155,111)

Melghat

19,973.790 (49,318)

6,960.735 (17,187)

7,180.245 (17,729)

198,450 (490)

27,154.035 (67,047)

7,159.185 (17,677)

Total

262,671.660 (648,572)

362,496.870 (895,054)

55,287.360 (136,512)

7,336.980 (18,116)

317,959.020 (785,084)

369,833.850 (913,170)

Note.-Figures in brackets are in acres.

continued..

Taluka

Grand Total (Gross cropped area) 

Area cropped more than once 

Net cropped area

(1)

(8)

(9)

(10)

Amravati

178,888.905
(441,701)

1,191.915
(2,943)

177,696.990
(438,758)

Chandur

135,293.085
(334,057)

739.125
(1,825)

134,553.960
(332,232)

Morshi

116,581.680
(287,856)

388.395
(959)

116,193.285
(286,897)

Daryapur

117,633.870
(290,454)

329.670
(814)

117,304.200
(289,640)

Achalpur

105,082.110
(259,462)

682.020
(1,684)

104,400.090
(257,778)

Melghat

34,313.220
(84,724)

1,146.555
(2,831)

33,166.665
(81,893)

Total

687,792.870
(1698,254)

4,477.680
(11,056)

683,315.190
 (1,687,198)

Note-Figures in brackets are in acres.

It is evident from Table No. 8 that the area under non-food crops exceeded that under food-crops by 51874.830 hectares (1,28,086 acres) in 1960-61. Foodgrains were produced mainly in Amravati, Chandur, Morshi and Daryapur talukas. The main food-crops of the district are kharif jowar and wheat among cereals; tur, gram and mung among pulses, chillis among condiments and spices and fruits and vegetables. The main non-food crops primarily included cotton among fibres; groundnut and sesamum among edible oil-seeds and linseed among non-edible oil-seeds. Table No. 9 shows that the area under cereals was nearly four times that under pulses, whereas the area under fibres exceeded that under cereals by about 20250 hectares (50,000 acres).

TABLE No. 9

ACREAGE UNDER DIFFERENT CROPS (TALUKA WISE) IN AMRAVATI DISTRICT, 1960.61.

Crops

Amravati

Chandur

Morshi

Daryapur

Achalpur

Melghat

District Total (2) to (7) [cols.]

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Cereals

67,966.695 (167,819)

46,551.915 (114,943)

40,494.330 (99,986)

39,533.265 (97,613)

29,497.365 (72,833)

20,246.760 (49,992)

244,290.330 (603,186)

Pulses

14,362.110 (35,462)

12,316.455 (30,411)

9,936.675 (24,535)

8,800.650 (21,730)

9,992.970 (24,674)

6,345.540 (15,668)

61,754.400 (152,480)

Sugar-cane

18.630

(46)

9.720
(24)

10.125
(25)

13.770
(34)

12.555
(31)

1.215
(3)

66015
(163)

Veget-ables

293.625 (725)

179.415 (443)

197.640 (488)

144.180 (356)

244.215 (603)

10.530 (26)

1,069.605 (2,641)

Fibres

8,651.205 (21,361)

66,785.310 (164,902)

59,150.250 (146,050)

62,958.870 (155,454)

61,141.635 (150,967)

5,729.130 (14,146)

264,416.400 (652,880)

Oil-seeds

9,059.850 (22,370)

7,972.830 (19,686)

3,707.370 (9,154)

4.665.600 (11,520)

1,737.855 (4,291)

1,430.055 (3,531)

28,573.560 (70,552)

Condi-ments and Spices

1,423.980 (3,516)

1,136.025 (2,805)

811.215 (2,003)

1,300.455 (3,211)

2,087.370 (5,154)

543.105 (1,341)

7,302.150 (18,030)

Total

101,776.095 (251,299)

134,951.670 (333,214)

114,307.605 (282,241)

117,416.790 (289,918)

104,713.965 (258,553)

34,306.335 (84,707)

607,472.460 (1,499,932)

Note.-Figures in brackets are in acres.

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