ECONOMIC TRENDS

IRRIGATION

Agriculture in this district mainly depends upon rain water. The annual rainfall is about 750 mm. The irregular nature of the monsoons and the uneven frequency of rainfall hamper production very seriously. To avoid this, it is essential to develop irrigation facilities by harnessing rivers and tanks to assure irrigated cultivation. Surface storage of water will assist in increasing the water-supply in wells by improving and raising the water table in the surrounding areas.

The irrigation facilities available at present in the district so far cannot be regarded as adequate. In 1960-61, the net area irrigated was only 38096.325 hectares (94.065 acres); the percentage of net area irrigated to net area sown stood at five. Wells are the main source of water-supply for irrigation. 33898.500 hectares (83,700 acres) of land were under well irrigation and 5317.650 hectares (13,130 acres) under tank irrigation in 1961-62. The irrigated crops comprise wheat, rice, jowar, cotton and a few garden crops.

There are good prospects of extending irrigation facilities to larger areas. The total irrigation potential of the four projects covers an area of about 6874.875 hectares (16,975 acres).

The Bendsura Project, the most important of them, is expected to irrigate an area falling within the limits of Bhir town and six other villages. The total irrigation potential of four new projects is estimated to be 11654.957 hectares (28,800 acres).

Under these circumstances agricultural production is sure to increase to a considerable extent. The traditional pattern of crops will also be diversified.