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AGRICULTURE & IRRIGATION
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OIL SEEDS
Bhir district is one of the chief oil-seeds producing districts of
Maharashtra. The oil-seeds produced in this district comprise
groundnut, linseed, sesame, safflower, mustard, niger-seed,
castor-seed and rape. Since the beginning of the last decade,
cultivation of oil-seeds has been on an increase. This might be
attributed to the rising prices of oil-seeds and the consequent
handsome returns to the farmers. Oil-seeds occupy about 15 per
cent of the total cropped area in the district. The area under
various oil-seeds crops is given in the following table.
TABLE No. 14
AREA UNDER OIL-SEEDS IN BHIR DISTRICT (1956-57 TO 1961-62)
[In Hectares]*
|
Tahsil |
Year |
Groundnut |
Sesamum |
Rape |
Mustard |
Safflower |
Linseed |
Castor Seed |
Niger Seed |
Total Oil-seeds |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7) |
(8) |
(9) |
(10) |
(11) |
|
Bhir |
1956-57 |
11,235.825 (29,965) |
523.260 (1,292) |
18.225 (45) |
-- |
4,520.205 (11,161) |
2,512.620 (6,204) |
14.580 (36) |
1,004.805 (2,481) |
20,729.520 (51,184) |
|
1957-58 |
8,780.805 (21,681) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
4,295.835 (10,607) |
1,650.780 (4,076) |
27.945 (69) |
899.100 (2,220) |
15,654.465 (38,653) |
|
1958-59 |
9,031.905 (22,301) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
4,781.025 (11,805) |
1,244.160 (3,072) |
24.705 (61) |
868.725 (2,145) |
15,950.520 (39,384) |
|
1959-60 |
9,923.310 (24,502) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
4,417.740 (10,908) |
1,203.255 (2,971) |
29.160 (72) |
782.460 (1,932) |
16,355.925 (40,385) |
|
1960-61 |
10,766.925 (26,585) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
7,272.585 (17,975) |
2,624.805 (6.481) |
8.910
(22) |
-- |
20,673.225 (51,045) |
|
1961-62 |
9,246.555 (22,831) |
-- |
599.805 (1,481) |
8.505 (21) |
4,139.910 (10,222) |
2,725.220 (6,724) |
19.035 (47) |
-- |
16,737.030 (41,326) |
|
Georai |
1956-57 |
10,062.630 (24,846) |
2,039.175 (5,035) |
-- |
11.340 (28) |
8,295.615 (20,483) |
2,044.440 (5,048) |
31.185 (77) |
180.630 (446) |
22,665.015 (55,963) |
|
1957-58 |
6,375.105 (15,741) |
839.970 (2,074) |
-- |
4.860 (12) |
7,753.725 (19,145) |
2,068.880 (6 086) |
31.590 (78) |
214.650 (530) |
17,688.780 (43,676) |
|
1958-59 |
6,814.530 (16,826) |
1,285.470 (3,174) |
-- |
0.810 (2) |
8,029.935 (19,827) |
2,585.925 (6,385) |
14.175 (35) |
296.865 (733) |
19,027.710 (46,982) |
|
1959-60 |
7,422.030 (18,326) |
869.130 (2,146) |
-- |
4.860 (12) |
7,224.390 (17,838) |
3,161.835 (7,807) |
61.155 (151) |
342.225 (845) |
19,085.625 (47,125) |
|
1960-61 |
3,183.300 (7,860) |
426.465 (1,053) |
-- |
3.240 (8) |
6,374.700 (15,740) |
2,716.740 (6,708) |
7.695
(19) |
221.940 (548) |
12,934.080 (31,936) |
|
1961-62 |
4,650.615 (11,483) |
726.975 (1,795) |
-- |
4.860 (12) |
10,123.785 (24,997) |
2,556.360 (6,312) |
4.050
(10) |
212.625 (525) |
18,279.270 (45,134) |
|
Ashti |
1956-57 |
3,542.130 (8,746) |
551.205 (1,361) |
-- |
-- |
8,835.480 (21,816) |
822.960 (2,032) |
4.455
(11) |
311.850 (770) |
14,068.080 (34,736) |
|
1957-58 |
2,217.780 (5,476) |
479.115 (1,183) |
-- |
-- |
8,877.600 (21,920) |
758.970 (1,874) |
49.005 (121) |
235.710 (582) |
12,618.180 (31,156) |
|
1958-59 |
2,513.430 (6,206) |
493.290 (1,218) |
-- |
-- |
8,544.690 (21,098) |
734.265 (1,813) |
6.885
(17) |
301.725 (745) |
12,594.285 (31,097) |
|
1959-60 |
2,697.300 (6,660) |
364.500 (900) |
-- |
-- |
7,982.955 (19,711) |
737.505 (1,821) |
4.860
(12) |
242.595 (599) |
12,029715 (29,703) |
|
1960-61 |
11,845.990 (4,558) |
251.505 (621) |
-- |
-- |
8,560.080 (21,136) |
608.310 (1,502) |
0.405
(1) |
-- |
11,266.290 (27,818) |
|
1961-62 |
2,356.695 (5,819) |
311.445 (769) |
-- |
-- |
8,253.900 (20,380) |
1,107.270 (2,734) |
-- |
216.675 (535) |
12,245.985 (30,237) |
|
Patoda |
1956-57 |
6,456.510 (15,942) |
539.865 (1,333) |
1.215 (3) |
-- |
2,898.990 (7,158) |
1,408.995 (3,479) |
4.455
(11) |
897.075 (2,215) |
12,207.105 (30,141) |
|
1957-58 |
6,578.010 (16,242) |
544.320 (1,344) |
3.240 (8) |
-- |
2,867.805 (7,081) |
1,137.810 (3,402) |
2.430
(6) |
856.575 (2,115) |
12,230.190 (30,198) |
|
1958-59 |
7,258.815 (17,923) |
738.720 (1,824) |
3.240 (8) |
-- |
2,867.400 (7,080) |
1,467.315 (3,623) |
6.480
(16) |
899.100 (2,220) |
13,241.070 (32,694) |
|
1959-60 |
5,074.650 (12,530) |
376.650 (930) |
4.050 (10) |
-- |
3,683.475 (9,095) |
1,754.865 (4,333) |
8.100 (20) |
1,662.525 (4,105) |
12,564.315 (31,023) |
|
1960-61 |
4,564.350 (11,270) |
352.350 (870) |
4.860 (12) |
-- |
3,539.700 (8,740) |
2,110.050 (5,210) |
10.530 (26) |
1,664.550 (4,110) |
12,246.390 (30,238) |
|
1961-62 |
6,156.000 (15,200) |
388.800 (960) |
4.050 (10) |
-- |
3,596.400 (8,880) |
1,733.400 (4,280) |
8.100 (20) |
1,182.600 (2,920) |
13,069.350 (32,270) |
|
Ambejogai |
1956-57 |
18,077.580 (44,636) |
413.505 (1,021) |
2.025 (5) |
163.215 (403) |
2,454.300 (6,060) |
3,499.200 (8,640) |
110.970 (274) |
1,536.570 (3,794) |
26,257.365 (64,833) |
|
1957-58 |
13,352.515 (33,463) |
392.445 (969) |
0.810 (2) |
91.935 (227) |
2,218.995 (5,479) |
2,958.930 (7,306) |
46.980 (116) |
383.940 (948) |
19,646.550 (48,510) |
|
1958-59 |
15,251.511 (37,473) |
556.776 (1,368) |
-- |
91.575
(225) |
207.570 (510) |
4,115.584 (10,112) |
78.144 (192) |
1,397.638 (3,434) |
21,698.798 (53,314) |
|
1959-60 |
15,921.360 (39,312) |
492.885 (1,217) |
-- |
132.030 (326) |
250.695 (619) |
4,007.880 (9,89o) |
74.115 (183) |
1,331.640 (3,288) |
22,210.605 (54,841) |
|
1960-61 |
15,707.925 (38,785) |
556.470 (1,374) |
-- |
141.750 (350) |
283.500 (700) |
4,012.335 (9,907) |
77.760 (192) |
1,421.550 (3,510) |
22,201.290 (54,818) |
|
1961-62 |
16,202.025 (40,005) |
571.050 (1,410) |
-- |
157.950 (390) |
324.000 (800) |
4,047.975 (9,995) |
81.000 (200) |
1,458.000 (3,600) |
22,842.000 (56,400) |
|
Kaij |
1956-57 |
17,356.680 (42,856) |
1,068.390 (2,638) |
-- |
35.640 (88) |
2,174.850 (5,370) |
3,033.045 (7,489) |
21.870 (54) |
3,280.095 (8,099) |
26,970.570 (66,594) |
|
1957-58 |
13,331.680 (37,836) |
1,170.450 (2,890) |
8.100 (20) |
46.575
(115) |
2,020.950 (4,990) |
2,770.200 (6,840) |
43.740 (108) |
2,907.900 (7,180) |
24299.595 (59,999) |
|
1958-59 |
15,363.270 (37,934) |
1,129.545 (2,789) |
10.125 (25) |
52.650 (130) |
1,983.285 (4,897) |
2,784.375 (6,875) |
48.600 (120) |
2,920.050 (7,210) |
24,291.900 (59,980) |
|
1959-60 |
15,441.840 (38,128) |
1,028.700 (2,540) |
8.100 (20) |
68.850 (170) |
1,878.390 (4,638) |
2,748.735 (6,787) |
55.890 (138) |
2,887.650 (7,130) |
24,118.155 (59,551) |
|
1960-61 |
18,390.715 (45,903) |
839.160 (2,072) |
64.395 (159) |
-- |
2,153.385 (5,317) |
3,063.015 (7,563) |
41.715 (103) |
2,458.755 (6,071) |
27,211.140 (67,188) |
|
1961-62 |
20,451.690 (50,498) |
652.455 (1,611) |
40.500 (100) |
-- |
2,193.075 (5,415) |
3,036.285 (7,497) |
44.145 (109) |
2,515.455 (6,211) |
28,933.605 (71,441) |
|
Manjlegaon |
1956-57 |
13,333.815 (32,923) |
637.875 (1.575) |
0.810 (2) |
42.120 (104) |
7,700.265 (19,013) |
2,010.015 (4,963) |
30.375 (75) |
371.790 (918) |
24,127.065 (59,573) |
|
1957-58 |
14,301.360 (35.312) |
866.295 (2,139) |
1.215 (3) |
46.575 (115) |
9,356.310 (23,102) |
2,159.460 (5,332) |
32.400 (80) |
384.750 (950) |
27,148.365 (67,033) |
|
1958-59 |
9,295.560 (22,952) |
910.035 (2,247) |
-- |
27.540 (68) |
8,144.955 (20,111) |
4,605.660 (11,372) |
27.135 (67) |
361.260 (892) |
23,372.145 (57,709) |
|
1959-60 |
6,721.785 (16,597) |
859.005 (2,121) |
-- |
28.755 (71) |
8,814.015 (21,763) |
5,382.855 (13,291) |
41.310 (102) |
368.955 (911) |
22,216.680 (54,856) |
|
1960-61 |
9,778.725 (24,145) |
970.785 (2,397) |
-- |
44.145 (109) |
5,962.410 (14,722) |
2,048.085 (5,057) |
-- |
264.870 (654) |
19,069.020 (47,084) |
|
1961-62 |
11,789.145 (29,109) |
1,140.480 (2,816) |
-- |
142.560 (352 |
7,072.920 (17,464) |
2,536.920 (6,264) |
-- |
294.030 (726 |
22,976.055 (56,731) |
*Figures in brackets indicate area in acres.
Groundnut
Bhir district accounts for about seven per cent of the total area
under groundnut in the State and is fourth in respect of
production in Maharashtra. The groundnut crop in Bhir accounts for
about 66 per cent of the total area under oil-seeds and about 9
per cent of the total cropped area. It is grown all over the
district, but mainly in Ambejogai, Kaij, Bhir and Manjlegaon
tahsils.
Groundnut is grown both as a dry crop and under irrigation the
area under irrigation being hardly 202.5 hectares (about 500
acres). It requires 635 mm. (about 25 inches) of rainfall for dry
farming. Good alluvial loams, medium black, light sandy and well
drained sandy loam soils are congenial for its growth. Black
cotton soils are also put to groundnut cultivation.
Deep ploughing, intensive harrowing and inter-culturing are of
prime importance. Groundnut seeds are sown in rows either by the
dibbling method or by three-coultered drill. Under the former,
furrows are opened by the coultered drill and seeds are dibbled by
hands in the furrows. Under the latter, seeds are dropped in bowls
which are connected to the coulters by means of hollow bamboo
tubes. The latter method is common though the dibbling method
which saves seeds and assures germination is regarded better.
Sowing is done in June or July.
Groundnut is adaptable to a wide range of climate. Bright sunshine
is essential for flowering while moist and friable soil is good
for penetration of the peg and subsequent development of pods. The
alternate spell of dry and wet weather are very conducive to pod
formation. Excellent groundnut crop comes up if well distributed
rainfall ranging from 635 mm. to 685.8 mm. (25 to 27 inches) is
received during the monsoon season. Inter-culturing and weeding
has to be done regularly. At least four inter-culturings are done.
The crop is ready for harvest by the middle of October. Harvesting
is done by uprooting plants from the ground, and the pods are
separated by hands or by beating the pod bearing plants on a log
of wood.
There are two main varieties in the district, viz., (i) ghungrya
or uptya, an erect variety and (ii) poorya, a spreading variety.
The former is a low yielding early variety whereas the latter is a
high yielding late variety. The early variety can be grown in
lighter soils, while the late maturing groundnut is usually taken
in heavier soils. An improved strain, Faizpur [This strain is
evolved in Jalgaon district.] 1.5 (bunch type), which is
introduced recently yields higher. Normal yield of the local
strains of groundnut amounts to 3.73 to 4.48 quintals (10 to 12
maunds) and that of the improved one to 4.48 to 6.72 quintals (12
to 18 maunds). The crop is rarely irrigated. Naturally, yield of
the irrigated crop is much higher.
Linseed
Linseed (jawas or alshi) occupies about 14 per cent of the total
area under oil-seeds in the district. Manjlegaon and Ambejogai
tahsils have a larger area under this crop than the other tahsils.
It is a rabi crop grown along with wheat and jowar, with strips of
about nine rows alternating with a few rows of wheat, gram or
jowar. It is also grown as a border crop around fields of wheat or
gram. Black cotton soils, with their characteristic high clay and
lime contents, and alluvial soils are congenial for its good
growth. Though irrigation assures better growth, it can be
produced as a dry crop also. Sowing is done along with wheat, gram
or jowar in October-November and is harvested in January-February.
As the seeds, after ripening, shed easily, the plants are uprooted
when the capsules are just ripe and begin to open. The dried
plants are beaten with sticks to thresh out the seeds completely.
A good crop yields about 400-500 lbs. per acre. But the average
yield is 200 lbs. only. So far, no improved strains have been
introduced.
Safflower
Safflower (karadi) is usually grown as a mixed crop with rabi,
wheat, gram and jowar, though it can be grown as a pure crop or
border crop to keep away stray cattle. It is sown in
October-November and harvested in January-February. The
preparations are the same as the ones given to the crops along
with which it is grown. Two inter-culturings are given after the
crop comes up. The crop is ripe in about four months. The plants
are uprooted and stacked for a few days. The dried plants are
threshed with sticks and the seeds are separated.
This crop requires medium to heavy soils. The average yield per
acre is about 200 lbs. Recently, improved strains of karadi have
been introduced. Edible oil is extracted from the seeds. The
oil-cake is utilised as a good cattle-feed. The tender leaves of
safflower are used as a vegetable.
Castor-seed
Castor-seed (erandi) is a catch crop grown on farm boundaries and
waste lands. It is often grown mixed with other crops. There are
two types of plant varieties, annual and perennial. The annual
varieties are much smaller than the perennial ones. The latter
grow rapidly even up to a height of 4.57 to 6.09 m. (15 to 20
feet). Perennial castor plants are chiefly grown along irrigation
water channels, on borders of garden lands or irrigated lands.
Sowing is done by dibbling the seeds in June-July and harvest-ing
can be done in February-March. When grown as a pure crop, the seed
is sown at a distance of 0.91 m. (three feet) either way; as a
mixed crop the seeds are mixed with those of the main crop in any
proportion. Castor-seed cultivation is a good source of income to
the farmers.
An improved strain (S-20) which gives better yield and more
Percentage of oil is introduced recently in the district.
Other oil-seeds
Sesamum (til), niger (karate til) and sunflower (survaphool) are
minor oil-seeds grown mainly on light soils in Bhir district.
Sesamsum is widely grown and gives good returns to the
cultivators. It is grown as a mixed crop with cotton, groundnut
jowar, etc. Moderate rainfall and occasional sunshine are
congenial for good growth. It is mainly grown as a kharif crop
which is harvested in October-November.
If grown as a mixed crop, sesame seed is mixed with that of the
main crop and sown in rows by means of a coultered drill. In the
case of a sole crop the seeds are broadcast on well-prepared soil.
Sesame oil is obtained by pressing the seeds in an oil ghani.
Nigar-seed also is usually grown as a mixed crop with ragi,
groundnut, castor-seed, jowar or bajri. It does not require
intensive ploughing or manuring.
The yield depends much upon the proportion of niger in the mixed
crop. When grown as a sole crop, its yield ranges between 300 and
400 lbs. per acre.
Sunflower, though grown in gardens for its beautiful flower, is
also valued as an oil-seed. The seeds yield an excellent edible
and burning oil which is also used as a lubricant.
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