The Gazetteers Department

Agricultural production can be increased by adopting extensive and intensive methods of cultivation. Of the total geo-graphical area of 1117768.410 hectares (27,59,922 acres) [These statistics have been taken from the Annual Season and Crop Report for 1960-61], the net area sown is 746976.735 hectares (18,44,387 acres) and the gross cropped area (i.e. net sown area plus area sown more than once) is 789665.355 hectares (19,49,791 acres) whereas culturable waste constitutes 18946.305 hectares (46,781 acres). Forests occupy 13476.375 hectares (33,275 acres). Barren and unculturable land constitutes 13017.510 hectares (32,142 acres) and land put to non-agricultural uses is 26644.545 hectares (65,789 acres). In addition, there are fallow lands to the tune of 208058.625 hectares (5,13,725 acres) and lands under miscellaneous tree crops and groves amounting to 1556.820 hectares (3,844 acres).

It is thus evident that vast tracts of land which are not under actual cultivation could he brought under cultivation. The culturable waste land, fallows and land under miscellaneous tree crops could be brought under active use for agricultural production. In fact these lands represent economic waste which the economy cannot afford. These lands could be brought under cultivation through the organisation of co-operative farming societies. The farmers' co-operatives which should preferably comprise landless labourers and the under-employed rural manpower would be in a better position to reclaim the lands. They will be in a better position to reap the benefits characteristic of large-scale farming and co-operative farming.

In view of the low acreage under forests, viz., 13476.375 hectares (33,275 acres), there is not much scope for reclamation of forest land. In fact there is a stronger case for launching upon a programme of afforestation. The district has only about 2 per cent of the total area under forests which is far below the minimum requirement of 33 per cent as stipulated in the national forest policy. [Forest resources which are meagre do not play any important part in the economy of the district. The Government, however, has undertaken a programme of afforestation, artificial regeneration and preservation of crucial forests.] The pasture lands also cannot be brought under cultivation. In fact, preservation of the present pastures is necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of grass and grazing grounds.

The productive potential of the lands in Bhir district can be augmented immensely by intensive cultivation. [Intensive cultivation means application of fertilisers, improved seeds, technical aids to production, irrigation facilities and adoption of scientific methods of production.] A drive for agricultural development has to comprise measures, such as modern methods of production, supply of green as well as chemical fertilisers, irrigation, insecticides, anti-wilt chemicals, improved varieties of seeds and credit for agricultural operations and improvements. Measures of soil conservation and consolidation of fragmented holdings accompanied by fixation of an economic unit of cultivation have a very important place in a programme of agricultural development. It is also necessary for the Government to undertake agronomic research and demonstration.