Banana.—Banana (kele) is grown on a small scale and occupied an area of 68 acres in 1965-66, of which Bhandara tahsil accounted for 48 acres. Banana is grown on medium black soil or on good garden land which is at least 0.610 metres (two feet) deep. It is propagated by suckers planted in June-July. After the rainy season, plants are irrigated at an interval of 10 to 12 days having regard to the moisture retentivity of the soil. In the hot season, however, they are required to be irrigated at an interval of one week. The plants are manured at the rate of one or two baskets of farm-yard manure per plant. The Basarai variety, also known as Bhusawal green is mainly planted in the district. Top-dressing of oil-cake and ammonium sulphate in the fourth and the seventh months from planting are necessary. The plant matures after about 12 months. Banana is harvested when the fruits get rounded.

Other Fruits.— Besides fruits described above, other fruits like grape, sweet-lime, sour-lime, papaya, custard apple, etc., are also grown in the district on a very small scale. They together occupied an area of 259 acres in 1965-66.

Vegetables.—Vegetables, that are commonly grown in the district, include potato, sweet potato, onion, radish, cabbage, brinjal, tomato, bhendi, fenugreek and muskmelon. The total area under these in the district, was 6,101 acres in 1965-66. Table No. 18 gives the tahsilwise distribution of area under vegetables in the district for 1961-62, 1965-66, 1969-70 and 1971-72.

TABLE No. 18

AREA UNDER VEGETABLES (TAHSILWISE) IN BHANDARA DISTRICT DURING 1961-62, 1965-66, 1969-70 AND 1971-72.

(In acres)

Note.—Figures for the vegetables. years 1969-70 and 1971-72 are given in hectares. The figures in column No. 15 indicate total area under fruits and vegetables.

The vegetable production in Bhandara district is very limited to meet only the local demand. There is no exportable surplus of vegetables. Marked seasonal variations in the supply of vegetables could also be seen.

Onion: Onion (Kanda) is grown in good black soils of the district. It occupied an area of 1,099 acres in 1965-66, and thus ranked second after brinjal in order of importance. The largest acreage, viz., 618 was claimed by Bhandara tahsil. There are two varieties, viz., red and white, grown in the district. Onion seed is sown on raised seed-beds for raising seedlings which get ready for transplantation in about a month. They are transplanted on the slopes of furrows. At the time of transplanting there is standing water in the plot. After transplantation is over in November-December, the field is watered every week. In three to four months the crop is ready for harvest. Onion is consumed by all classes, both raw and mixed with various dishes. Its tender leaves are eaten as a pot herb.

Brinjal: Brinjal (Vange) is the most important vegetable crop grown on a large scale as compared to other vegetables. In 1965-66, it occupied an area of 1,498 acres, little over 24.66 per cent of the total area under vegetables in the district. It is grown in rabi season, in rich soil, often on the river banks. It is grown throughout the year in garden lands. It is an irrigated crop which requires considerable manuring. Seedlings are prepared in seedbeds and are transplanted after about six weeks. The crop gets ready after two months and harvesting continues for two months thereafter. It is a very common vegetable widely consumed in the district throughout the year.

Potato: Potato (Batata) is taken as an irrigated crop on a very small scale in the district. In 1965-66, it occupied 351 acres of which Bhandara tahsil accounted for the highest acreage, viz., 309. It requires heavy manuring. Potato sets are planted in October-November. The crop is ready for harvest between January and February. It is watered from time to time. Two varieties, red and white are grown in the district.

Sweet Potato: Sweet potato (Ratale) is the most important root vegetable grown in the district and occupied 215 acres of land in 1965-66. There are two varieties, viz., red and white grown in the district. Cuttings from vines of the previous year are used for propagation. The crop needs heavy manuring and constant irrigation. The crop is ready for harvest in six months after planting. The root is eaten green, boiled or roasted on fasting days. The leaves are used is green fodder for cattle.

Radish: Radish (Mula) is grown on a negligible scale and occupied an area of 25 acres in 1965-66. It is grown throughout the year as a mixed crop, particularly in garden lands. It is harvested in about two months. If harvesting is delayed the plant begins to bear pods. The roots, leaves and pods are used as vegetables.

Tomato: It occupied an area of 202 acres in 1965-66, in the district. It is grown as a field crop and requires heavy manuring, irrigation and constant care. Seedlings are prepared on raised seed-beds. When about four weeks old, they are transplanted in October-November in lands laid out in ridges and furrows. It is also grown in hot season if adequate irrigation facilities are available. It is one of the most favourite vegetables. The raw fruit is used as a vegetable while the ripe one is eaten like a fruit.

Cabbage: Cabbage (Kobi) is a much valued cold season vegetable grown in the district and occupied 190 acres in 1965-66. It is cultivated in loamy or clay loam soil. Intensive manuring and irrigation are of extreme importance for cabbage cultivation. Top-dressing of oil-cake and ammonium sulphate is usually given after one month of plantation. The seeds of cabbage are sown in nursery beds in August and the seedlings are transplanted in September. The crop gets ready for harvesting in about three to four months. The cabbage heads are used as vegetable whereas leaves are fed to cattle.

Bhendi: Bhendi (Lady's finger) is grown in this district as a cash crop in garden lands. It occupied an area of 378 acres in 1965-66. The variety grown is a local one having four edges and a length varying between 15 cm. and 25 cm. Another small-sized variety of bhendi is also grown in the district. The green pods are used as a vegetable either boiled or fried. The ripe seeds of bhendi are used in curry and in chutney.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek (Methi) is grown throughout the district in gardens all round the year. It occupied 56 acres in 1965-66 in the district. It is always taken as an irrigated and manured crop. It gets ready for use as a vegetable in three weeks. If allowed to grow beyond this period, the crop bears pods which mature in two and a half months. Seeds in the pods are an essential ingredient in spices used in cookery. It also contains medicinal properties.

Kharbuj: Kharbuj (Muskmelon) is grown in the district, in cold and hot months, in moist and sandy places in the river beds, sometimes with the water melons. It occupied an area of 346 acres in 1965-66. Of this area, Bhandara claimed 195 acres while Gondia and Sakoli tahsils together accounted for 151 acres. The plant is manured when six weeks old and the fruit ripens in the third or the fourth month. The fruit is round, green or yellowish and the skin covered with a network of raised brown lines. It is generally eaten uncooked sometimes mixed with sugar and salt.