AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Agronomic research and education are of prime importance in any scheme for the development of the agricultural economy. 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 in the district and the agricultural class has benefited by the research and education facilities provided by Government.

The Government conducts a research station at Buldhana, which was established in 1928. It is known as 'Government Farm, Buldhana'. The experimental farm extends over an area of 19630 acres. Nearly 128 acres are under cultivation every year. In 1968-69 an additional area of 10 acres was brought under cultivation. Research is conducted on this farm in evolving new varieties of cotton, chillis, groundnut and sugarcane. The total area under this farm now is 211.70 acres. Various agronomic and other experiments are also carried out on this farm.

The pattern of crops at this farm in the year 1968-69 was as under:—

The farm produce (major crops) of 1967-68 was as under:—

The seed produced is distributed to the Taluka Seed Farms for sowing.

In addition to crops raised for multiplication of seeds nearly 10 agronomic experiments on different crops, like hybrid jowar, groundnut, jowar, etc., are carried at the Farm. Separate Arboremum Cotton Breeding Sub-Centre is also working at this Research Station which conducts different experiments on deshi cotton.

There is no well at this Research Station and hence water is made available from the tank of the Municipality, Buldhana. All possible efforts are being made to extend irrigation facilities to the Research Station.

It is proposed to start one power gin at this Research Station. The cotton produce of the farm and cotton from other farms will be ginned at this Research Station.

Suitability of new varieties of the crops evolved by the Department of Agriculture is experimented on this farm before they are released for distribution to the farmers.

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 had established nine taluka seed multiplication farms in the district during the Second Five-Year Plan. They are located at Malkapur, Nandura, Shegaon, Pimpal-gaon Raja, Asalgaon, Warwat Khanderao, Shelsoor, Deulgaon Mahi and Sindkhed Raja. Seed multiplication work is confined mainly to crops like cotton, jowar, groundnut, wheat, maize and gram. The nucleus seed produced at these research centres is multiplied on these farms and is then released to the cultivators.

There is one Trial-cum-Demonstration Farm at Shelapur, which was established on 25th February 1965 as a result of the irrigation facilities available there under the Nalganga project. The total area under this farm is 50 acres, of which an area of 21.60 acres is under Nalganga project. The object of establishing this trial-cam-demonstration farm is to conduct and demonstrate suitable trials under irrigation and to develop a new pattern of cropping for the area under the command of the project. Demonstrations are also conducted to exhibit the irrigation methods, improved package practices of cultivation of irrigated crops and introduction of new crops. Trials are conducted to assess the water requirement of different crops to find out the second crop that could be taken after the irrigated crop and also to know the fertilizer requirements of crops.

The farm area is divided into three units. The first is an un-irrigated unit of 6.00 acres. The object of this unit is to study suitable pattern of cropping under dry conditions. The second unit is a seasonal irrigated unit of 9 acres. The object of this unit is to study the suitable two seasonal patterns of cropping i.e., kharif followed by rabi in the same year under irrigation as also, the conditions under which it is required. The third one is a perennial irrigation unit of 6 acres. The object of this unit is to study the suitable seasonal pattern of cropping under perennial irrigation.

Gramsevak Training Centre.—The Basic Agriculture School, Buldhana, which was established on 1st April 1958, was later on converted into the integrated Gramsevak Training Centre on 16th June 1959.

In the beginning, direct recruitment of candidates was made for 2 years integrated course and the 1st hatch of trainees was admitted in October, 1959. Since November 1962, only one year condensed course was conducted for which the Zilla Parishad, Buldhana deputed its assistant gramsevaks, gramsahayaks, pat-waris, etc., up to 1964-65. Since 1965 till 1967 there were batches of two months refresher training courses for gramsevaks at this centre and 10 batches each having 40 trainees up to 6th October, 1967. From 5th January 1968, six months course for assistant gramsevaks was started and 37 assistant gramsahayaks were also imparted training in this institution up to 4th July 1968. The trainees from Akola, Buldhana and Yeotmal districts attended the courses.

The training at this centre is imparted in three aspects viz., (l) class room study, (2) practicals in camps and (3) field practicals arranged at Gramsevak Training Centre, Poultry Farm, Government Station Garden, Veterinary Hospitals, and at the following selected five villages of Sagwan, Kotwad, Hatadi Bk., Hatadi Kh. and Chikhli for intensive development.

There are 10 youth clubs attached to this centre located at Bor-gaon Kakade, Hatedi, Sawargaon Dukare, Kolwad and Satgaon Mahsala, where work of village uplift is carried out.

The training centre pays the trainees a stipend of Rs. 50 per month and free accommodation in the hostel.

The centre maintains a good library where text books in English and Marathi, magazines, journals and periodicals on all the technical subjects in which training is imparted are made available. Similarly, various kinds of audio-visual aids with projector and films are also provided by the centre.

Applied Nutrition Programme.—The applied Nutrition Programme Scheme was inaugurated during the year 1966-67 with the help of UNICEF. The object is to produce seeds and seedlings of main vegetables and to supply the same to school and community gardens selected in Applied Nutrition blocks in the Vidarbha region.

During the year 1966-67 an area of 3 acres and 13 gunthas in Station Garden, Buldhana was cultivated for the production of the main kharif and rabi vegetables viz., bhendi, tomato, cucumber, brinjal, palak, cauliflower, cabbage, etc. About 94.400 kg. of vegetable seeds were produced and were distributed to the school and community gardens in the Vidarbha region free of cost.

During the year 1967-68, seven acres of additional land was brought under cultivation for the production of seeds and seedlings of the main vegetables.

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