The Gazetteers Department

The agronomy of the district is still dependent on the live-stock. Cattle, and not the improved mechanical implements, continue to be a valuable possession of the farmer. Every farmer, who is economically sound, usually keeps a pair of bullocks, a few sheep, goats, cows and poultry. Bullocks and he-buffaloes are kept as draught or as breeding animals. Sheep, goats, buffaloes and poultry form the major portion of the live-stock of the district.

The main activities of animal husbandry in the district are to provide treatment for sick animals, control of epizootic diseases and castration of scrub bulls. Activities such as artificial insemination, improvement of local breed by introducing pure bred animals are are so carried out in the district.

Bovines

The live-stock of the district can be classified into bovine, ovine and poultry population. Horses, mules and asses also form an important class of the live-stock. Most of the animals are non-descript. The only pure breed that has been introduced in the district is Deoni breed. In the tahsils which are nearer to Ahmadnagar district, khilari animals are purchased from the cattle market at Walki in Ahmadnagar district. No special breed of buffaloes is introduced in the district. In some parts, however, Pandharpuri and marathwada type of buffaloes are found, but rarely.

Ovines

The sheep which are generally reared by the Dhangars in the district are non-descript animals and are usually kept for wool, skin, hair and meat. However, under the scheme of mutton production, a special type of bread, viz., bannure breed which is specially known for mutton production has been introduced in the district. Though more costly than poultry-keeping, the sheep-rearing provides a profitable side business to the agriculturists. Its refuse which serves as manure, the milk of she-goats which can be used for domestic consumption, the meat of he-goats, the skin and the wool of sheep, all these combined supplement the agriculturists' income.

Horses, mules, asses, etc.

These animals are mainly used for the purpose of transport. Horses are yoked to tongas. They are purchased from Ahmadnagar and Nanded districts. Ponies are maintained in the villages where bullock-carts are not easily available for transportation. Asses are mostly maintained by the Vadars to carry heavy loads like big-stones, earth, etc.

Poultry

There is a wide scope for poultry development in the district. The total poultry population of the district is about two and a half lakhs. It consists mainly of fowls and partly of ducks. The main difficulties in the implementation of the schemes of poultry development in the rural areas of the district are replacing the local birds by pure breed, imparting scientific and practical knowledge of poultry-keeping to the villagers and timely technical assistance of the stockmen and other officials of the animal husbandry department.

Sources of Supply

Weekly cattle markets are held at Neknoor and Hirapur in Bhir tahsil, Renapur in Ambejogai tahsil and Dharur in Kaij tahsil. Some cattle are also purchased from Jamkhed in Ahmadnagar district and Pachod in Aurangabad district.

Veterinary Dispensaries and Aid Centres

The veterinary facilities and some important schemes of animal husbandry which are under implementation in the district are described in the following paragraphs:—

There are seven full-fledged veterinary dispensaries and one branch veterinary dispensary at the tahsil headquarters, viz., (1) Bhir, (2) Ambejogai, (3) Georai, (4) Manjlegaon, (5) Ashti, (6)Patoda, (7) Kaij and (8) Neknoor. One district diagnostic centre is also attached to the veterinary hospital at Bhir. In order to give veterinary aid to the interior villages, 23 veterinary aid centres have also been established in the remote parts of the district.

Key Village Centre Scheme

The scheme of key village centre has been introduced in the district with its headquarters at Ambejogai. Attached to it are six key village units established in the following villages, viz., (1) Ghatnandur, (2) Savargaon, (3) Saigaon, (4) Sakood, (5) Gizoli and (6) Mamdapur. One breeding bull of Deoni breed is posted at each unit.

District Premium Bull Scheme

Under this scheme a farmer, who purchases a bull approved by the Animal Husbandry Department, is paid a subsidy of Rs. 350 or a maintenance subsidy at the rate of Rs. 12 per month for three years. Four such bulls have been supplied under the scheme.

Supplementary Cattle-breeding Centres

Two supplementary cattle breeding centres, one at Georai and other at Kaij, have been established in the district. Under this scheme a team of five pure bred bulls and fifty pure bred sows are supplied to five contiguous villages. A subsidy of Rs. 200 per bull and Rs. 100 per cow is given. Besides, a sum of Rs. 12 per bull per month is also given as maintenance allowance. The cows and the bulls, which are supplied under the scheme, are of Deoni breed.

Poultry Development Centres

Two poultry development centres, one at Bhir and other at Ambejogai, have been established. These centres distribute hatching eggs and pure bred cocks to the villagers. The centre at Ambejogai has been upgraded to the district poultry breeding station.

Village Poultry Improvement Scheme

The scheme covers a group of ten to fifteen villages. The main object of this scheme is to replace deshi or gavathi cocks by the pure bred cocks, viz., White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red and to improve the poultry. Eggs and cocks worth Rs. 200 are given to each village. Almost all the Panchayat Samitis in the district have implemented the scheme.

Sheep Development Activities

A sheep development centre was started at Ambejogai in 1959-60. It has now been expanded into a sheep breeding farm. The ewes are crossed with Marino rams. The cross-bred rams are distributed for breeding purpose to the villagers at a nominal cost of Rs. 5 per ram.

Mutton Production Scheme

The scheme was introduced in the district in the year 1962-63. A special breed of sheep, i.e., bannure, which is known for its mutton, was introduced. Four units were also established at the following places: (1) Parali Vaijanath, (2) Kada, (3) Sautada and (4) Georai.

Live-stock products

The following tables indicate the extent of the live-stock products together with their prices in the district:—

TABLE No. 19

LIVE-STOCK PRODUCTS IN BHIR DISTRICT ACCORDING TO 1961 LIVE-STOCK CENSUS

Products	Average output per head per annum	Total output	Estimated value in rupees
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
Milk of cows and buffaloes.	300 lbs	1,35,100	27,02,000
Eggs	--	20,00,000	2,50,000
Manure	--	15,00,000	30,00,000
Hides	25% of the total population	93,160	13,97,400
Skins	20% of the total population	60,500	60,500
Wool	Total population	23,000	46,000

TABLE No. 20

LIVE-STOCK PRICES INV BHIR DISTRICT IN 1962-63

Kind of live-stock	Price in rupees
Bull	100—500 each.
Bullock	120—300 each.
Cow	75—200 each.
Buffalo	150—600 each.
Poultry—
Pure breed	10—12 each.
Country fowl	3—5 each.
Egg	10—12 paise each.

Live-stock Distribution

TABLE No. 21

TAHSILWISE DISTRIBUTION OF LIVE-STOCK IN BHIR DISTRICT IN 1961.

Species of animals	Bhir	Patoda	Ashti	Georai	Manjlegaon	Ambejogai	Kaij	District Total
(I)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)
I Cattle—
(1) Males over 3 years—
(a) Breeding bulls	21	23	14	28	26	24	16	152
(b) Working bulls	31,311	35,166	32,124	41,745	39,038	43,426	46,083	268,893
(c) Bulls and bullocks over 3 years (not in use for breeding or for work).	2,330	1,080	204	1,027	369	570	1,467	7,047
(d) Total males over 3 years	34,062	36,269	32,342	42,800	39,433	44,020	47,566	276,492
(2) Females over 3 years—
(a) Breeding cows, i.e., cows over 3 years kept for breeding or milk production—
(i) In milk	7,358	6,221	7,494	10,248	9,542	12,254	10,908	64,025
(ii) Dry	13,941	11,617	14,185	10,304	12,583	15,279	15,163	93,072
(iii) Not calved	2,933	3,450	2,005	2,871	1,621	3,756	4,626	21,262
(iv) Total	24,232	21,288	23,684	23,423	23,746	31,289	30,697	178,359
(b) Cows over 3 years used for work only.	36	1,016	Nil	1,248	2	270	171	2,743
(c) Cows over 3 years not in use for work or breeding purposes.	59	566	4	399	1	174	116	1,319
(d) Total females over 3 years.	24,327	22,870	23,688	25,070	23,749	31,733	30.984	187,421
(3) Young Stock—
(a) Under 1 year—
(i) Males	5,372	4,879	5,112	7,798	6,303	7,565	7,942	44,971
(ii) Females	5,463	4,637	4,955	5,834	5,147	7,145	7,180	40,361
(iii) Total	10,835	9,516	10,067	13,632	11,450	14,710	15,122	85,332
(b) 1 to 3 years —
(i) Males	8,569	5,190	6,175	6,843	8,444	8,588	8,854	52,663
(ii) Females	7,829	5,115	6,916	6,805	8,306	8,941	9,060	52,972
(iii) Total	16,398	10,305	13,091	13,648	16,750	17,529	17,914	105,635
Total Cattle— (a) Males	48,003	46,338	43,629	57,441	54,180	60,173	64,362	374,126
(b) Females	37,610	32,622	35,559	37,709	37,202	47,819 107,992	47,224	275,745
(c) Total	85,613	78,960	79,188	95,150	91,382		111,586	649,871
II Buffaloes—
(1) Males over 3 years—
(a) Breeding bulls	244	31	21	49	30	65	32	472
(b) Working bulls	247	236	58	355	530	420	706	2,552
(c) Bulls and bullocks over 3 years not in use for breeding or for work.	16	31	10	46	27	27	56	213
(d) Total males over 3 years	507	298	89	450	587	512	794	3,237
(2) Females over 3 years—
(a) Breeding cows i.e., cows over 3 years kept for breeding or milk production—
(i) In milk	3,278	2,143	1,368	2,126	2,517	4,786	3,543	19,761
(ii) Dry	3,757	3,137	2,413	2,130	2,843	3,459	3,274	21,013
(iii) Not calved	1,133	1,358	379	537	407	1,485	1,282	6,581
(iv) Total	8,168	6,638	4,160	4,793	5,767	9,730	8,099	47,355
(b) Buffaloes over 3 years in use for work only,	467	868	36	495	4	202	256	2,328
(c) Buffaloes over 3 years not in use for work or for breeding.	87	211	16	167	7	142	80	710
(d) Total females over 3 years	8,722	7,717	4,212	5,455	5,778	10,074	8,435	50,393
(3) Young Stock—
(a) Under 1 year—
(i) Males	1,206	996	570	557	1,240	2,176	1,659	8,404
(ii) Females	2,088	1,692	989	1,050	' 1,503	3,084	2,284	12,690
(iii) Total	3,294	2,688	1,559	1,607	2,743	5,260	3,943	21,094
(b) 1 to 3 years—
(i) Males	747	566	400	563	924	1,577	1,154	5,931
(ii) Females	2,546	2,099	1,488	1,401	1,985	2,641	2,607	14,767
(iii) Total	3,293	2,665	1,888	1,964	2,909	4,218	3,761	20,698
Total buffaloes—
(i) Males	2,460	1,840	1,059	1,570	2,751	4,265	3,607	17,552
(ii) Females	13,356	11,508	6,687	7,906	9,266	15,799	13,326	77,848
(iii) Total	15,816	13,348	7,746	9,476	12,017	20,064	16,933	95,400
Ill Total Mules	20	5	Nil	90	Nil	14	1	130
IV Total Asses	561	111	330	358	445	469	218	2,492
V Total Horses	928	695	547	1,316	1,252	1,611	1,371	7,720
VI Sheep—
(a) Up to 1 year	2,622	1,572	661	1,327	1,228	3,647	2,412	13,469
(6) Over 1 year—
(i) Males	1,880	979	366	1,016	1,175	2,472	2,365	10,253
(ii) Females	7,673	5,784	2,543	4,666	3,975	5,074	9,680	39,395
(iii) Total	9,553	6,763	2,909	5,682	5,150	7,546	12,045	49,648
(iv) Total Sheep	12,175	8,335	3,570	7,009	6,378	11,193	14,457	63,117
VII Goats—
(a) Up to 1 year	7,283	7,804	13,200	5,536	5,693	8,468	8,341	56,325
(b) Over 1 year—
(i) Males	4,545	4,750	4,616	5,328	4,225	6,126	6,444	36,034
(ii) Females	20,855	21,052	26,680	19,228	17,302	15,273	26,651	147,041
(iii) Total	25,400	25,802	31,296	24,556	21,527	21,399	33,095	183,075
Total Goats	32,683	33,606	44,496	30,092	27,220	29,867	41,436	239,400
VIII Poultry Fowls—
(i) Hens	13,425	12,295	16,533	10,061	6,527	9,033	15,153	83,027
(ii) Cocks	8,773	5,219	4,034	4,615	3,457	6,214	7,150	39,462
(iii) Chicks	21,484	19,215	20,648	12,914	10,523	11,772	19,196	115,752
(iv) Total	43,682	36,729	41,215	27,590	20,507	27,019	41,499	238,236
IX Poultry Ducks	210	176	213	19	21	44	57	740

Dairy Conditions

Bhir district forms the central part of Marathwada region. The district is divided hy the Balaghat mountains which are spread over the central part from east to west. As a result of this the southern part of the district gets considerable rains while the northern part has scanty rains and thus often suffers from scarcity conditions. Thus Patoda, Ashti, Georai and a part of Manjlegaon tahsils provide very little scope for the development of the dairy industry. Conditions in Ambejogai and Bhir tahsils are favourable for the diary industry. Exports of milk products like cream and ghee, to the extent of about 933 litres (25 maunds) per day, were reported from the areas around Ambalwadi and Parali. The demand for dairy products existed due to military establishments in the former state of Hyderabad. But after the merger of the state in the Indian Union, these establishments were shifted to other places. This resulted in a fall in the demand for the dairy products.

Investigations carried out by the economic botanist to the government along with an American expert show that Ambejogai tahsil is suitable for permanent pastures. They found that there are about 6,480 hectares (16,000 acres) of pastures with nutritious grasses like marvel, pavana, kachekada and legumes like barbeda and sevari in sufficient quantities. They also pointed out that with their proper development the dairy industry in the district would definitely reach a certain measure of progress.

According to the 1961 cattle census the total cattle population of the district was 6½ lakh cattle and about one lakh buffaloes. Of these, there were 178,000 cows and 47,000 buffaloes in 1961. The total production of milk is estimated at 148,362.9 litres (3,975 maunds) daily.

There are no distinct breeds of cattle in the district. The local authorities have tried to introduce deoni breed of animals in Patoda and Ashti tahsils. The local people are, however, more inclined towards khillar cattle as bullocks of this breed are better for draught purposes. Deoni breed of cattle is also found in some villages of Ambejogai tahsil. Among the buffaloes, the Marathwada breed is popular. But the number of non-descript animals' is still larger.

There are a few good cattle markets in the district with a large turnover of animals. The important cattle markets are at Hirapur, Renapur, Kuppa, Lahul and Bardapur. Besides these markets, cattle are sold in almost all weekly village markets.

Chief among the exports are milk-khava, ghee and fresh milk. Khava and ghee are exported from Bhir, Parali and Bajarath to the adjacent districts as well as to the tahsil headquarters. The Harihar Co-operative Dairy Society, Ltd., Kada, in Ashti tahsil sends daily 120 litres of milk by State Transport to Nagar Union.

The daily consumption of milk in Bhir town is estimated at about 6,732 litres (100 maunds) out of which 1,492.96 litres (40 maunds) are produced in the town and the rest is brought from the surrounding villages within the radius of 9.654 to 12.872 km. (6 to 8 miles). Nearly 1,866 litres (50 maunds) of milk are con sumed daily by hotels, restaurants and other eating houses. Fresh milk is sold at a rate of 55 paise per litre. Ghee is sold at Rs. 5.37 per kilogram. No organised efforts have been made so far for the marketing of milk and milk products.