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AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION
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CONDIMENTS AND SPICES
Chillis, coriander, turmeric, garlic, ginger and fenugreek comprise the group condiments and spices, which together occupied. an area of 11,877 acres in 1965-66. Chillis, however, accounted for about 89 per cent of the area under condiments and spices.
Table No. 14 gives tahsilwise area under condiments and spices in Bhandara district, for 1961-62, 1965-66, 1969-70 and 1971-72: —
TABLE No. 14
AREA UNDER CONDIMENTS AND SPICES (TAHSILWISE) IN BHANDARA DISTRICT DURING 1961-62, 1965-66, 1969-70 AND 1971-72.
(In acres)*
|
Tahsil |
Year |
Chillis |
Ginger |
Turmeric |
Coriander |
Garlic |
Fenugreek (Methi) |
Total Condiments and spices |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7) |
(8) |
(9) |
|
Bhandara |
1961-62 |
5,149 |
42 |
36 |
361 |
15 |
19 |
5,622 |
|
1965-66 |
6,028 |
40 |
50 |
449 |
11 |
12 |
6,590 |
|
1969-70 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
2,883 |
|
1971-72 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
2,844 |
|
Gondia |
1961-62 |
572 |
7 |
-- |
261 |
46 |
1 |
887 |
|
1965-66 |
706 |
19 |
-- |
299 |
75 |
2 |
1,101 |
|
1969-70 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
535 |
|
1971-72 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
599 |
|
Sakoli |
1961-62 |
3,079 |
10 |
1 |
366 |
16 |
9 |
3,481 |
|
1965-66 |
3,836 |
1 |
-- |
323 |
18 |
8 |
4,186 |
|
1969-70 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
1,720 |
|
1971-72 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
1,718 |
|
District Total |
1961-62 |
8,800 |
59 |
37 |
988 |
77 |
29 |
9,990 |
|
1965-66 |
10,570 |
60 |
50 |
1,071 |
104 |
22 |
11,877 |
|
1969-70 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
5,138 |
|
1971-72 |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
N.A. |
-- |
-- |
5,161 |
*Note.—Figures for the years 1969-70 and 1971-72 are given in hectares.
Chilis.— Chillis (mirchi) occupied an area of 10,570 acres in 1965-66. Chillis are grown all over the district, the highest acreage, i.e., 6,028, was however found in Bhandara tahsil. Gondia and Sakoli tahsils together accounted for 4,542 acres. It is grown as an irrigated as well as rainfed crop. Seedlings are raised in seed-beds by the end of May and transplanted after a month. Interculturing is done regularly. The plants begin to bear fruit after about two months. Green chillis are ready for plucking from September onwards. Red chillis are plucked and dried in sun in the months of December and January. Chillis constitute an essential ingredient in the diet of the people and are used extensively in chutneys and pickles.
Coriander.— Coriander is grown in the district as a garden crop throughout the year. It occupied an area of 1,071 acres in 1965-66. It is cultivated both for its small seeds and green leaves. The green leaves are ready for use in about three weeks and the seed in about two months. The leaves and tender stems are used as a vegetable as well as for flavouring many dishes. The coriander seed is a condiment and also contains some medicinal properties.
Garlic.— Garlic (lasun) is grown in small patches throughout the district. It occupied an area of 104 acres in 1965-66 of which Gondia tahsil accounted for 75 acres. It is planted in November and harvested in February-March. It is extensively used as a condiment or as spice in chutneys. It is also used in curries and for seasoning vegetables. Besides, it is valued for its medicinal properties.
Turmeric.— Turmeric (halad) is grown mainly in Bhandara tahsil. It occupied an area of 50 acres in 1965-66. It is an irrigated crop. The rhizomes are planted in early June before the monsoon sets in, on both sides of the furrows. It is harvested in January-February. Turmeric rhizomes are universally used as a condiment.
Other Condiments and Spices.— Other condiments and spices grown in this district are ginger and fenugreek. Ginger occupied an area of 60 acres in 1965-66, of which Bhandara tahsil accounted for 40 acres. Fenugreek occupied small area during the same year. All these condiments and spices find a ready market in the district itself. There is no exportable surplus of these crops.
The total area under condiments and spices which was 4,806.456 hectares in 1965-66 rose to 5,161 hectares in 1971-72. Of the area under condiments and spices Bhandara accounted for 2,844 hectares, Sakoli for 1,713 hectares and Gondia for 599 hectares.
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