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AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION
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PULSES
TABLE No. 11
TAHSIL-WISE AREA UNDER PULSES IN CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT FROM 1956-57 To 1961-62
Area in hectares*
Tahsil
(1) | Year
(2) | Gram
(3) | Green gram
(4) |
Tur
(5) | Black gram
(6) |
Warora |
1956-57 |
2,904.836 (7,178) |
1,537.807 (3,800) |
4,606.541 (11,383) |
80.128
(198) | 1957-58 |
2,760.768 (6,822) |
26.305
(65) | 4,814.954 (11,898) |
112.503
(278) | 1958-59 |
2,586.753 (6,392) |
74.057
(183) | 5,225.710 (12,913) |
191.821
(474) | 1959-60 |
2,708.968 (6,694) |
80.128
(198) | 3,315.188
(8,192) | 246.049
(608) | 1960-61 |
2,623.579 (6,483) |
1,505.432 (3,720) |
3,845.326
(9,502) | 178.062
(440) | 1961-62 |
2,617.914 (6,469) |
308.775
(763) | 4,581.045 (11,320) |
213.674
(528) |
Chandrapur |
1956-57 |
1,528.904 (3,778) |
3,941.237 (9,739) |
1,268.691
(3,135) | 548.349
(1,355) | 1957-58 |
1,428.137 (3,529) |
1,876.124 (4,636) |
979.745
(2,421) | 876.954
(2,167) | 1958-59 |
1,388.478 (3,431) |
5,165.412 (12,764) |
1,190.586
(2,942) | 895.975
(2,214) | 1959-60 |
1,204.345 (2,976) |
2,694.804 (6,659) |
998.765
(2,468) | 1,029.926 (2,545) |
1960-61 |
1,168.328 (2,887) |
474.656
(10,810) | 812.205
(2,007) | 948.584
(2,344) | 1961-62 |
1,178.850 (2,913) |
382.833
(946) | 1,266.667
(3,130) | 905.687
(2,238) |
Brahmapuri |
1956-57 |
3,000.747 (7,415) |
351.672
(869) | 180.085
(445) | 5,722.665 (14,141) |
1957-58 |
2,290.927 (5,661) |
527.306
(1,303) | 214.888
(531) | 7,290.014 (18,014) |
1958-59 |
1,731.651 (4,279) |
280.447
(693) | 285.708
(706) | 9,227.650 (22,802) |
1959-60 |
1,754.314 (4,335) |
352.481
(871) | 271.139
(670) | 10,273.382 (25,391) |
1960-61 |
1,793.568 (4,432) |
456.485
(1,128) | 151.757
(375) | 9,427.565 (23,296) |
1961-62 |
1,586.774 (3,921) |
257.785
(637) | 133.951
(331) | 9,440.920 (23,329) |
Gadhchiroli | 1956-57 |
4,428.074 (10,942) |
630.905
(1,559) | 244.430
(604) | 2,565.709 (6,340) |
1957-58 |
2,973.228 (7,347) |
494.127
(1,221) | 224.196
(554) | 2,946.519 (7,281) |
*Figures in brackets indicate area in acres.
TABLE No. 11
Area in hectares*
Horse gram (7) |
Math (8) |
Val (9) |
Chavli (10) |
Watana (11) |
Lakh (12) |
1,118.957 (2,765) |
71.629 (176) |
8.903
(22) | .809
(2) | 332.652
(822) | 7,545.370
(18,645) | 1,332.631
(3,293) |
63.940 (158) |
185.751
(459) | 17.806
(44) | 237.550
(587) |
6,627.947 (16,378) |
1,230.650 (3,041) |
171.587 (424) |
7.284
(18) | 2.023
(5) | 227.029
(561) |
6,924.987 (17,112) |
1,821.087 (4,500) |
207.199
(512) | 8.498
(21) | 2.023
(5) | 274.782
(679) |
8,015.616 (19,807) |
1,944.111 (4,804) |
222.557 (550) |
9.308
(23) | 9.712 (24) |
258.594 (639) |
7,538.086
(18,627) | 2,728.393 (6,742) |
208.818
(516) | 21.448
(53) | 22.258 (55) | 299.467 (740) |
8,440.536
(20,857) | 1,734.889 (4,287) |
12.545
(31) | 6.880
(17) | 4.856
(12) | 365.026 (902) |
7,275.040
(17,977) | 1,565.730 (3,869) |
29.542
(73) | 261.427
(646) | 93.482
(231) | 238.765
(590) |
7,073.102 (17,478) |
1,672.972 (4,134) |
265.878
(657) | 15.378
(38) | 66.368
(164) | 242.407
(597) |
7,455.125 (18,422) |
1,950.182 (4,819) |
282.066
(697) | 8.903
(22) | 73.248
(181) | 286.133
(707) |
7,531.206 (18,610) |
1,874.101
(4,631) | 288.136
(712) | 22.258 (55) |
99.957
(247) | 234.718
(580) |
7,099.002 (17,542) |
1,889.479 (4,669) |
299.063
(739) | 29.137
(72) | 63.131
(156) | 273.972
(677) |
7,845.647 (19,387) |
635.357
(1,570) | 77.700
(192) | 11.331
(28) | 1.619
(4) | 72.034
(178) | 11,625.010 (28,726) |
607.029
(1,500) | 64.345
(159) | 352.481
(877) | 3.237
(8) | 49.776
(123) | 10,867.438 (26,854) |
731.268
(1,807) | 349.648
(864) | 15.378
(38) | .809
(2) | 45.325
(112) | 11,003.817 (27,191) |
905.687
(2,238) | 363.812
(899) | 12.950
(32) | 2.428
(6) | 62.726
(155) | 10,957.278 (27,076) |
774.164
(1,913) | 317.274
(784) | 14.569
(36) | 3.237
(8) | 54.633
(135) | 11,050.356 (27,306) |
760.000
(1,878) | 649.926 (1,606) |
31.565
(78) | 1.619
(4) | 53.419
(132) | 11,720.516 (28,962) |
3,330.566 (8,230) |
7.284
(18) | 10.522
(26) | .405
(1) | 55.037
(136) |
7,626.308 (18,845) |
3,469.778 (8,574) |
60.293
(149) | 410.756 (1,015) |
21.853
(54) | 28.733
(71) |
6,792.250 (16,784) |
*Figures in brackets indicate area in acres.
TABLE No. 11 contd.
Area in hectares*
Tahsil (1) | Year
(2) | Gram
(3) | Green gram
(4) | Tur (5) | Black gram
(6) |
Gadhchiroli -contd. |
1958-59 | 2,819.043 (6,966) |
975.293 (2,410) |
272.353 (673) |
3,598.468 (8,892) |
1959-60 | 3,017.339 (7,456) |
1,865.602 (4,610) |
201.533 (498) |
4,342.685 (10,731) |
1960-61 | 3,133.079 (7,742) |
1,595.677 (3,943) |
97.125
(240) | 4,287.648 (10,595) |
1961-62 | 3,478.276 (8,595) |
1,356.507 (3,352) |
170.373 (421) |
5,675.721 (14,025) |
Sironcha |
1956-57 | 235.931
(583) | 2,021.811 (4,996) |
10.117
(25) | 284.899 (704) |
1957-58 | 339.936
(814) | 377.572
(933) | .405
(1) | 381.619 (943) |
1958-59 | 225.410
(557) | 610.266 (1,508) |
5.261
(13) | 530.948 (1,312) |
1959-60 | 127.881
(316) | 1,395.357 (3,448) |
.405
(1) | 643.855 (1,591) |
1960-61 |
95.910
(237) | 1,316.848 (3,254) |
3.642
(9) | 476.720 (1,178) |
1961-62 |
135.570
(335) | 893.142 (2,207) |
4.047
(10) | 574.654 (1,420) |
Rajura |
1956-57 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1957-58 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1958-59 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1959-60 |
1,141.214 (2,820) |
6,089.715 (15,048) |
1,862.770 (4,603) |
551.182 (1,362) |
1960-61 |
1,249.266 (3,087) |
6,237.425 (15,413) |
2,437.711 (5,999) |
365.026 (902) |
1961-62 |
1,240.767 (3,066) |
5,757.063 (14,226) |
2,720.299 (6,722) |
278.019 (687) |
District Total |
1956-57 |
12,098.493 (29,896) |
8,483.432 (20,963) |
6,309.055 (15,590) |
9,201.750 (22,738) |
1957-58 |
9,804.132 (24,228) |
3,301.833 (8,159) |
6,234.188 (15,405) |
11,607.608 (28,683) |
1958-59 |
8,751.335 (21,625) |
7,105.477 (17,558) |
6,979.619 (17,247) |
14,444.862 (35,694) |
1959-60 |
9,954.061 (24,597) |
12,478.088 (30,834) |
6,649.800 (16,432) |
17,089.080 (42,228) |
1960-61 |
10,063.731 (24,868) |
15,486.524 (38,268) |
7,337.766 (18,132) |
15,683.606 (38,755) |
1961-62 |
10,238.151 (25,299) |
8,956.106 (22,131 |
8,876.383 (21,934) |
17,091.104 (42,233) |
*Figures in brackets indicate area in acres.
TABLE No. 11 contd.
Area in hectares*
Horse
gram | Math |
Val |
Chavli |
Watana |
Lakh |
(7) |
(8) |
(9) |
(10) |
(11) |
(12) |
4,126.178 (10,196) |
464.579 (1,148) |
17.401 (43) |
.809 (2) |
40.873 (101) |
7,241.451 (17,894) |
4,984.517 (12,317) |
703.749 (1,739) |
14.973 (37) |
1.214 (3) |
60.703 (150) |
7,321.579 (18,092) |
4,470.161 (11,046) |
644.260 (1,592) |
24.281 (60) |
107.646 (266) |
41.683 (103) |
7,101.025 (17,547) |
4,391.248 (10,851) |
606.220 (1,498) |
62.322 (154) |
.809 (2) |
42.897 (106) |
6,679.747 (16,506) |
1,256.955 (3,106) |
-- |
5.666 (14) |
-- |
2.428 (6) |
21.853
(54) | 1,279.212 (3,161) |
31.161 (77) |
42.492 (105) |
5.261 (13) |
3.237 (8) |
12.545 (31) |
1,417.210 (3,502) |
47.348 (117) |
6.880 (17) |
-- |
1.619 (4) |
22.662 (56) |
1,382.812 (3,417) |
50.586 (125) |
6.070 (15) |
-- |
2.428 (6) |
22.662 (56) |
1,325.751 (3,276) |
61.108 (151) |
6.070 (15) |
14.164 (35) |
2.023 (5) |
14.569 (36) |
1,597.296 (3,947) |
64.750 (160) |
10.117 (25) |
-- |
7.284 (18) |
18.211 (45) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1,378.763 (3,407) |
585.176 (1,446) |
662.471 (1,637) |
797.231 (1,970) |
93.078 (230) |
330.223 (816) |
1,525.666 (3,770) |
359.361 (888) |
1,783.451 (4,407) |
2.832 (7) |
118.573 (293) |
571.821 (1,413) |
1,362.982 (3,368) |
338.722 (837) |
2,238.723 (5,532) |
11.736 (29) |
79,723 (197) |
775.378 (1,916) |
8,076.723 (19,958) |
168.754 (417) |
43.301 (107) |
7.689 (19) |
827.178 (2,044) |
34,093.581 (84,247) |
8,262.474 (20,417) |
249.286 (616) |
1,255.336 (3,102) |
141.640 (350) |
533.781 (1,319) |
31,373.282 (77,525) |
9,178.278 (22,680) |
1,299.042 (3,210) |
62.322 (154) |
70.011 (173) |
556.443 (1,375) |
32,648.043 (80,675) |
12,446.118 (30,755) |
2,192.589 (5,418) |
713.866 (1,764) |
876.145 (2,165) |
779.830 (1,927) |
34,178.565 (84,457) |
11,913.956 (29,440) |
1,892.716 (4,677) |
1,859.937 (4,596) |
235.122 (581) |
710.224 (1,755) |
33,374.859 (82,471) |
12,737.492 (31,475) |
2,167.498 (5,356) |
2,393.313 (5,914) |
99.553 (246) |
756.763 (1,870) |
35,480.036 (87,673) |
*Figures in brackets indicate area in acres.
The important pulses in the district include lakh, horse gram, black gram, gram and green gram. These and other minor
pulses together occupied 14.67 per cent of the gross cropped area
during the period from 1957-58 to 1959-60 in the district as against 10.69 per cent for the State. The cultivation of these crops was concentrated in Brahmapuri (24.64 per cent),
Rajura (16.96 per cent), Gadhchiroli (16.73 per cent) and Chandrapur (13.42 per cent) tahsils. The acreage under these crops and their outturn during the period between 1956-57 and 1961-62 are given in table Nos. 11 and 12, respectively. The description of each of these crops including the method of its cultivation, the soils required for it etc. is given below. The damage to those crops due to the pests and diseases is explained in separate sections in this chapter.
TABLE No. 12
TAHSIL-WISE OUTTURN OF PULSES IN CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT FROM 1956-57 To 1963-64.
(Figures in metric tonnnes)*
Tahsil |
Year |
Gram |
Green Gram |
Tur |
Black gram |
Horse Gram |
Masur |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7) |
(8) |
Warora |
1956-57 |
1,211.072 (1,192) |
389.128 (383) |
1,864.360 (1,835) |
17.272 (17) |
362.712 (357) |
59.944 (59) |
1957-58 |
1,273.048 (1,253) |
6.096 (6) |
1,977.136 (1,946) |
26.416 (26) |
435.864 (429) |
50.800 (50) |
1958-59 |
1,063.752 (1,047) |
17.272 (17) |
1,559.560 (1,535) |
40.640 (40) |
361.696 (356) |
45.720 (45) |
1959-60 |
1,395.984 (1,374) |
16.256 (16) |
1,118.616 (1,101) |
62.992 (62) |
655.320 (645) |
64.008 (63) |
1960-61 |
1,430.528 (1,408) |
345.440 (340) |
1,528.064 (1,504) |
45.720 (45) |
620.776 (611) |
56.896 (56) |
1961-62 |
1,365.504 (1,344) |
73.152 (72) |
1,564.640 (1,540) |
50.800 (50) |
816.864 (804) |
155.448 (153) |
1962-63 |
1,307.592 (1,287) |
564.896 (556) |
1,704.848 (1,678) |
52.832
(52) |
1,411.224 (1,389) |
57.912 (57) |
1963-64 |
1,316.736 (1,296) |
498.856 (491) |
2,834.640 (2,790) |
86.360 (85) |
1,062.736 (1,046) |
49.784 (49) |
Chandrapur |
1956-57 |
703.072 (692) |
998.728 (983) |
385.064 (379) |
115.824 (114) |
563.880 (555) |
-- |
1957-58 |
661.416 (651) |
471.424 (464) |
398.272 (392) |
204.216 (201) |
552.704 (544) |
2.032 (2) |
1958-59 |
570.992 (562) |
1,203.960 (1,185) |
267.208 (263) |
209.296 (206) |
546.608 (538) |
2.032 (2) |
1959-60 |
524.256 (516) |
505.968 (498) |
261.112 (257) |
193.040 (190) |
511.048 (503) |
1.016 (1) |
1960-61 |
584.200 (575) |
1,016.000 (1,000) |
246.888 (243) |
221.488 (218) |
659.384 (649) |
1.016 (1) |
*Figures in brackets indicate outturn in tonnes.
TABLE No. 12-contd.
(Figures in metric tonnes)*
Tahsil |
Year |
Gram |
Green Gram |
Tur |
Black gram |
Horse Gram |
Masur |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7) |
(8) |
Chandrapur -contd. |
1961-62 |
676.656 (666) |
90.424 (89) |
387.096 (381) |
193.040 (190) |
627.888 (618) |
1.016 (1) |
1962-63 |
560.832 (552) |
442.976 (436) |
534.416 (526) |
191.008 (188) |
690.880 (680) |
1.016 (1) |
1963-64 |
579.120 (570) |
764.032 (752) |
616.712 (607) |
231.648 (228) |
611.632 (602) |
3.048 (3) |
Brahmapuri | 1956-57 |
1,388.872 (1,367) |
89.408 (88) |
66.040 (65) |
1,449.832 (1,427) |
225.552 (222) |
3.048 (3) |
1957-58 |
1,670.304 (1,644) |
33.528 (33) |
88.392 (87) |
1,672.336 (1,646) |
198.120 (195) |
3.048 (3) |
1958-59 |
799.592 (787) |
52.832 (52) |
117.856 (116) |
1,727.200 (2,700) |
191.008 (188) |
4.064 (4) |
1959-60 |
908.304 (894) |
82.296 (81) |
67.056 (66) |
1,247.648 (1,228) |
297.688 (293) |
5.080 (5) |
1960-61 |
905.256 (891) |
111.760
(110) |
46.768 (48) |
2,196.592 (2,162) |
252.984 (249) |
3.048 (3) |
1961-62 |
910.336 (896) |
60.960 (60) |
35.560 (35) |
1,488.440 (1,465) |
227.584 (224) |
5.080 (5) |
1962-63 |
796.544 (784) |
59.944
(59) |
57.912 (57) |
2,289.048 (2,253) |
207.264 (204) |
4.064 (4) |
1963-64 |
906.272 (892) |
48.768 (48) |
1.016
(1) |
2,964.688 (2,918) |
227.584 (224) |
4.064 (4) |
Gadhchiroli |
1956-57 |
2,253.488 (2,218) |
159.512 (157) |
90.424 (89) |
595.376 (586) |
163.576 (161) |
1.016 (1) |
1957-58 |
1,413.256 (1,391) |
127.000 (125) |
99.568 (98) |
666.816 (676) |
1,134.872 (1,117) |
1.016 (1) |
1958-59 |
1,159.256 (1,141) |
204.216 (201) |
91.440 (90) |
753.872 (742) |
1,212.088 (1,193) |
1.016
(1) | 1959-60 |
1,710.944 (1,684) |
480.568 (473) |
45.720 (45) |
1, 118.616 (1,101) |
1,850.136 (1,821) |
1.016
(1) | 1960-61 |
1,556.512 (1,532) |
365.760
(360) |
34.544 (34) |
999.744 (984) |
1,325.880 (1,305) |
5.080 (5) |
1961-62 |
1,814.576 (1,786) |
321.056 (316) |
44.704 (44) |
1,208.024 (1,189) |
1,314.704 (1,294) |
5.080 (5) |
1962-63 |
1,643.888 (1,618) |
204.216 (201) |
116.940 (115) |
919.480 (905) |
1,220.216 (1,201) |
-- |
1963-64 |
1,569.720 (1,545) |
158.496 (156) |
1.016 (1) |
959.104 (944) |
1,126.744 (1,109) |
-- |
Sironcha |
1956-57 |
109.728 (108) |
512.064 (504) |
3.048
(3) |
66.040 (65) |
445.008 (438) |
-- |
1957-58 |
152.400 (150) |
96.520 (95) |
-- |
89.408 (88) |
418.592 (412) |
-- |
1958-59 |
105.664 (104) |
142.240 (140) |
2.032
(2) | 123.952 (122) |
464.312 (457) |
-- |
1959-60 |
79.248 (73) |
326.136 (321) |
-- |
150.368 (148) |
461.264 (454) |
-- |
1960-61 |
53.848 (53) |
335.280 (330) |
1.016 (1) |
99.568 (98) |
424.688 (418) |
-- |
1961-62 |
64.088 (63) |
211.328 (208) |
1.016
(1) | 110.744 (109) |
478.536 (471) |
-- |
1962-63 |
76.200 (75) |
146.304 (144) |
-- |
99.568 (98) |
451.104 (444) |
-- |
1963-64 |
5.080
(5) | 333.248 (328) |
-- |
182.880 (180) |
565.912 (557) |
-- |
Rajura |
1956-57 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1957-58 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1958-59 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1959-60 |
587.248 (578) |
1,424.432 (1,402) |
416.592 (412) |
129.032 (127) |
452.120 (445) |
104.648 (103) |
1960-61 |
635.000 (625) |
1,435.608 (1,413) |
874.776 (861) |
93.472 (92) |
615.696 (606) |
-- |
*Figures in brackets indicate outturn in tonnes.
TABLE No. 12-contd.
(Figures in metric tonnes)*
Tahsil |
Year |
Gram |
Green Gram |
Tur |
Black gram |
Horse gram |
Masur |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
(7) |
(8) |
Rajura -contd. |
1961-62 |
647.192 (637) |
1,363.472 (1,342) |
830.072 (817) |
66.040 (65) |
364.744 (359) |
-- |
1962-63 |
581.152 (572) |
1,681.480 (1,655) |
.1,084.072 (1,067) |
93.472 (92) |
460.248 (453) |
-- |
1963-64 |
574.040 (565) |
1,676.400 (1,650) |
1,083.056 (1,066) |
83.312 (82) |
435.864 (429) |
-- |
District Total |
1956-57 |
5,666.232 (5,577) |
2,148.840 (2,115) |
2,408.936 (2,371) |
2,244.344 (2,209) |
1,760.728 (1,733) |
68.072 (67) |
1957-58 |
5,170.424 (5,089) |
836.168 (823) |
2,563.368 (2,523) |
2,679.192 (2,637) |
2,740.152 (2,697) |
56.896 (56) |
1958-59 |
3,699.256 (3,641) |
1,620.520 (1,595) |
2,038.096 (2,006) |
2,854.960 (2,810) |
2,775.712 (2,732) |
52.832 (52) |
1959-60 |
5,205.984 (5,124) |
2,835.656 (2,791) |
1,911.096 (1,881) |
2,901.696 (2,856) |
4,227.576 (4,161) |
175.768 (173) |
1960-61 |
5,165.344 (5,084) |
3,609.848 (3,553) |
2,734.056 (2,691) |
3,656.584 (3,599) |
3,899.408 (3,838) |
66.040 (65) |
1961-62 |
5,478.272 (5,392) |
2,120.392 (2,087) |
2,863.088 (2,818) |
3,117.088 (3,068) |
3,830.320 (3,770) |
166.624 (164) |
1962-63 |
4,966.208 (4,888) |
3,099.816 (3,051) |
3,498.088 (3,443) |
3,551.936 (3,496) |
4,440.936 (4,371) |
62.992 (62) |
1963-64 |
4,950.968 (4,873) |
3,652.520 (3,595) |
4,536.440 (4,465) |
4,507.992 (4,437) |
4,030.472 (3,967) |
56.896 (56) |
*Figures in brackets indicate outturn in tonnes.
Lakh.
The production of Lakh is very common in Brahmapuri
tahsil. It is cultivated more or less in an equal area in Warora,
Chandrapur and Gadhchiroli tahsils. Lakh is a coarse kind of
pea. Its grain is distinguished from that of pea by its being flat on two sides and the reddish mattling on its surface. The crop is always grown alone and in rabi season only. Sown in deep, alluvial and retentive black soil, it gives best outturn. After the rainy season, the land which develops cracks is suitable for this crop. That is why Lakh is often cultivated in rice fields. The land is well-ploughed and repeatedly harrowed. The seeds are sown in September-October. The plants are uprooted and taken to the threshing yard, and after they are sufficiently dried for about a week are beaten with sticks or trampled under oxen's feet. The seeds are removed after winnowing the husk. The seeds of Lakh are inferior to those of other pulses. Its fodder, however, is considered to be very nutritious for draught animals.
Horse gram.
Horse gram, hulga or kulthi is another important pulse crop grown in the district. In Gadhchiroli tahsil the crop is grown on a large scale. Other tahsils also grow it in a smaller area. The table No. 11 gives tahsil-wise area under this pulse crop. Horse gram is generally grown as a kharif crop and requires a moderate rainfall of about 889 mm. (35 inches). It is grown on a variety of soils such as poor sandy loam, gravelly upland, black and deep red loams etc. Kulthi is taken as a mixed crop with other cereals and needs the same method of cultivation as is given to the crop with which it is sown. The crop is sown thick and also in every fourth row. It gets ready for harvest by November when it is uprooted and brought to the threshing floor. After it is sufficiently dried the plants are trampled under oxen's feet. The seeds are then removed by winnowing the husk. This husk added to that of the various other cereals and pulses at the threshing floor is very nutritious to both draught as well as milch cattle.
Black gram.
Black gram, udid, is another important crop which is grown throughout the district. Its cultivation is, however, concentrated in Brahmapuri, Gadhchiroli and Chandrapur tahsils. The crop can be produced on a variety of soils such as black, red loams, light red or brown alluvial. It is usually drilled mixed with cereals like jowar etc. It is cultivated in the same way as the main crop, with which it is produced. The ripe pulse is split and consumed as dal. It is ground to powder, to be made into papads. The stalks and leaves form good fodder.
Gram.
Gram, harbara or chana, is also grown in all the tahsils of the district, Gadhchiroli and Warora being the most important. The crop is mostly grown as a rabi crop. As such, it is generally sown in October-November when the rains have almost ceased. Heavy rainfall and cloudy weather are harmful to this crop. The field is made ready by September for sowing. A ploughing and two harrowings are given. The crop becomes ready for harvesting in January-February. Harbara is some time grown
with well-irrigation. In this case about 2 to 3 waterings are
given to the crop. If required, one hand-weeding is also given. Very often the
tender shoots are plucked off before the flowering time. This renders the plants strong and bushy. Such tender leaves are also used as vegetable. After about three and a half months the leaves become reddish brown and dry and are-shed in the fields. The plants are then uprooted and brought to the threshing floor where they are dried for about a week and then trampled under the feet of oxen for separating the seed.
The grain may be eaten green, boiled or parched. It is the most common and concentrated food for horses. Its dal and flour are used in the preparation of many types of dishes.
Green gram.
The cultivation of green gram, mug, is found mainly in Rajura and Chandrapur tahsils. The crop is mostly grown as a kharif crop along with cereals. It gives the best yield if sown in deep good soil as well as in ordinary black soil and red soil. The seeds are drilled mixed with cereals. Within a week the seedlings of the crop come out of the soil. One or two inter-culturings and a hand weeding are given to the crop. In about two and a half months the green pods are ready. These pods are eaten as vegetable. They take about a month to ripen. When the pods become dry, the plants are uprooted and brought to the threshing yard where they are dried for a week and threshed by beating with sticks or by the usual method of trampling under oxen's feet. The leaves and stalks of the crop are much prized as fodder.
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