The Gazetteers Department

A brief account of the important cereals such as jowar, wheat, bajra, maize and rice grown in Bhir district is given in the following paragraphs, while a detailed account of the common pests and diseases of these cereals and their controlling measures is given separately under the section — 'pests and diseases'.

Rice

Bhat (paddy) is not an important crop in Bhir district. It is cultivated in scattered patches throughout the district due to the low annual average rainfall of 678.180 mm. (26.70 inches). In places where paddy is cultivated, it is sown with a drill in June-July and harvested in October-November. Only a local late variety is used. The average yield is six B. Mds. per acre. Efforts are consistently being made to popularise the transplanting or the Japanese method of paddy cultivation but for want of adequate rainfall and irrigation facilities the progress in this direction is not satisfactory.

There are three different ways of paddy cultivation, viz., (1) transplanting. (2) broadcasting and (3) drilling. Sometimes dibbling — a slightly improved method — is also practised. Where the crop is transplanted fields are properly bunded with a view to allowing the water to spread evenly in the fields. Such fields are called khachars. In June, the seedlings, 0.13 m. to 0.15 m. (five to six inches) high and grown on the seed-beds, are pulled out, tied in small bundles and are planted by hand 3 to 5 seedlings together in each place.

Seedlings are generally grown by rab method in June. However, rab method is being replaced by the J. M. P. C [Japanese Method of Paddy Cultivation] wherein farm yard manure and fertilisers are applied. Under the improved method, an area of three to four gunthas is enough for raising seedlings sufficient for one acre of land and for 20 lbs. to 25 lbs. of seed.

Jowar

Both kharif and rabi jowar is the staple food crop of the district. In 1961-62, out of 651,183.42 hectares (1,607,885 acres) of the total gross cropped area under food crops, jowar, under kharif and rabi cultivation occupied an area of 345,237.390 hectares (852,438 acres) in Bhir district. Jowar is grown all over the district. However, kharif jowar is grown on a large scale in Ambejogai, Kaij and part of Bhir tahsils and in the remaining areas rabi jowar is grown. Generally for the best yield of the crop deep and heavier soil and rainfall ranging from 635 to 1,016mm. (25 to 40 inches) are required. Kharif as well as rabi jowar is grown mainly for food grains. Sometimes where irrigation facilities are available the fodder jowar is grown during the summer season. Before the end of June when the kharif jowar is sown, the land is ploughed as early as in the hot season and first harrowing is given by the end of May and after first showers of the monsoon, two more harrowings are given. Sometimes compost and fertilisers are also applied.

The general method of cultivation prevailing in the district is sowing by drill at 9" to 10" with a three-coultered seed drill. The Poona method of jowar cultivation in which dibbling 18" x 18" or drilling 18" apart is done, is also introduced in the district. It is observed that in dry fields this method gives 25 per cent to 40 per cent more yield. Piwali in kharif and dagadi in rabi are the main local varieties of jowar. However, these are being replaced by improved varieties like PJ 4 k, PJ 16 k, for kharif and PJ 4R and M. 35-1, (Maldandi) for rabi. Kharif jowar is generally sown in June-July and harvested in October-December. The average yield of kharif jowar is 450 lbs. per acre. But under ideal conditions, the yield per acre can be raised up to 5,000 to 6,000 lbs. One hand weeding and one or two bullock interculturings are required when the jowar is 0.15 to 0.20 m. (6 to 8 inches) high. Pulses, oilseeds and sometimes fibre crops are grown, mixed with jowar. The jowar crop is rotated with other crops like bajra, groundnut, cotton, etc.

Bajri

Bajri is the next important food crop in the district. It is mostly grown in the western portion of the district in Ashti, Patoda and parts of Bhir and Georai tahsils. The crop can be grown in places having a dry climate and 254 mm. to 1,016 mm. (10 inches to 40 inches) of rainfall. It is grown on light types of soil. The variety sown by the agriculturists in general is similar to the Akola bajri grown in the adjacent parts of Ahmad-nagar district. The improved strain, viz., 28.15-1 has been introduced in the district. Bajri is sown in July-August and harvested In October-November. It is sown with a three or four coultered drill. One or two hand-weedings and two bullock-interculturings are given to the crop. It is taken as a dry crop only and is manured by a very limited number of cultivators. Tur, mung and methi are sometimes mixed with bajri. The average yield of bajri is 220 lbs. per acre.

Wheat

Gahu (wheat) is grown almost all over the district as a cold weather crop. Its cultivation is concentrated in Ambejogai, Kaij and Georai tahsils. More than 65 per cent of the total area of this tract is under wheat crop. The yields of the crop grown in Manjlegaon and Georai tahsils are higher and its quality is also superior.

Deep black and retentive soils, 635 mm. to 1,016 mm. (25 to 40 inches) of rainfall, late October rains and plenty of dew give the best harvest of wheat. The crop is sown during October-November with a two or three-coultered seed drill, and a distance of 0.30 to 0.46 m. (12 to 18 inches) between the rows. It is harvested in February-March.

It is mainly an irrigated crop. It is also grown as a second crop after mung or early variety of groundnut. The local variety is called jod which requires 15-20 irrigations but yields less though it is not susceptible to wheat rust or other pests. The improved strain is Hy 65—rust resistant and can be grown under dry as well as irrigated conditions. P.W. 5, P.W. 7, P.W. 3, K 28 and N 710 are also good yielding strains but they are susceptible to rust in varying degrees. Wider sowing and thinning are being adopted by the cultivators. Similarly, treatment of seed, application of fertilisers, etc. are also being practised for higher yields. The average yield is 400 to 2,000 lbs. per acre depending on the variety and the method of cultivation.

Maize

Maka (maize) requires deep alluvial loams and red loams soils and about 508 mm. to 762 mm. (20 to 30 inches) of rainfall. It is sown with a drill and the distance between the two rows is 0.30 m. to 0.46 m. (12 to 18 inches). Usually the crop is ready for harvest within three to four months. It is sown in June and harvested in September-October. The crop sown in February is ready for harvest in May. The crop in the district is grown as a fodder crop. It is also produced for its green cobs which are parched or boiled and eaten. About 50 per cent of the total cropped area of the Kaij tahsil is under maize. In Ambejogai and Bhir tahsils also maize is sown on 30 per cent of the total cropped area. Sometimes it is also grown as a mixed crop with other cereals and vegetables. The average yield is 250 lbs. per acre.

Other cereals grown on stray patches or combined with other cereals or vegetables include ragi, Italian millets, kutki, common millets, vari, sava, banti and bhadli. The total acreage under these crops in 1961-62 was 17,019.15 hectares (42,023 acres).