AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

FAMINES

In respect of the liability to famine from drought, the whole district holds a position intermediate between the Deccan and Gujarat. The periods of failure are of far less frequent recurrence than in those Deccan districts which are subject to chronic and intense famines. The distress may, however, at times be acute, as was the case in 1899-1900, but such cases are rare. It must be at the same time borne in mind that the rainfall of the district is not as certain as in the Konkan or in South Gujarat. The Jalgaon district cannot hence be classed as totally immune from famine. Broadly speaking, the district may he classed among the 'transition tracts' of the Deccan.

1390-1407.

The great Durgadevi famine (1396-1407) is one of the oldest of famines about which some information is available. It is said to have reduced the population of Khandesh to a few Bhils and Kolis.

1629.

Thereafter, the only scarcity recorded before the beginning of the nineteenth century was the one of 1629. In that year, following the ravages of war, came a total failure of rain. Lands famed for their richness were utterly barren; life was offered for a loaf, but none would buy; rank for a cake, but none cared for it. The ever-bounteous hand was stretched out to beg—and the rich wandered in search of food. Dog's flesh was sold, and the pounded bones of the dead were mixed with flour. The flesh of a son was preferred to his love. The dying blocked the roads, and those who survived fled. Food houses were opened. Every day soup and bread were distributed; some money was also distributed among the deserving poor every Monday. The Emperor and the nobles made great remissions of revenue.

1802-03.

In the troubles which followed Bajirav's establishment as Peshwa, Khandesh suffered more than any part of the Deccan. The year 1802-03 was not. as regards rainfall, unfavourable, nor had any scarcity in the neighbouring districts caused immigration. The country was prosperous, well-watered, and thickly peopled, when two seasons of lawlessness spread desolation and famine from one end to the other. The disorders were too great to allow of grain bung imported and the price rose as high as one seer of grain for a rupee. Vast numbers died from famine or disease and many left their homes never to return. To lessen the pressure, of distress, the Peshwa s Government abolished import duties and remitted revenue; the export of grain was stopped; prices were regulated; and measures were taken to repress Bhils, Arabs and oilier freebooters, by the end of 1804, the country was again quiet: but traces of this time, of frightful misrule and misery still remain.

1824-26.

From 1824 to 1826 was a time of great scarcity. Except a few slight showers, no rain fill. There was much distress among the poor and about Rs. 9,11,760 of the district revenue was remitted in three years.

1833-36.

Owing to short rainfall, from 1833 to 1836 was a time of great scarcity and distress, Indian millet prices rising high up.

1838-39.

In 1844—15, the failure of the latter rains caused much distress and made large remissions necessary.

1844-45.

In 1844-45 the failure of the latter rains caused much distress and made large remissions necessary.

1855-56.

In 1855-56, on account of want of rain, a large area of land remained unsown, and where sown, the crops, especially in Chopda and Savda, failed. A great part of the labouring population left the district and even some of the well-to-do cultivators were hard-pressed. In some cases, from 60 to 75 per cent of the assessment was remitted.

1862—66.

Between 1862 and 1866. the rainfall was scanty, and on account of the very high price of cotton, the grain-growing area was much reduced. Indian millet prices rose considerably. But wages were high and work was plentiful, and the labouring classes passed through this period of famine prices without much suffering.

1868-69.

In 186869, the latter rains failed entirely in several sub-divisions and were scanty throughout the district. The early crops were in many places below the average, and the late ones were almost everywhere interior. Cotton, especially in Chaiisgaon, was only half an average crop and the scarcity of grass was great. Fears were entertained that the Bhil population, suffering from want of foul and labour. would take to rabbing and plundering. These fears were increased by the arrival of large numbers of destitute persons from Marwar and Rajputana, where the failure of the rain was more complete and the scarcity amounted to famine. Jowar prices rose from seventy to twenty-four pounds a rupee. Relief works were started, many new roads were made, several irrigation works were begun or repaired; and land revenue worth Rs. 8,330 was remitted.

1871-72.

In 1871-72, except a few partial showers in September, there was a total failure of rain, and most of the crops withered. In the middle of November, there was heavy rain, but it came too late to save the early crops and did little good to the late harvest. Owing to large importations from the then Central Provinces, there was 110 want of grain; prices also came down. Relief works were undertaken and remissions to the extent of Rs. 3,75,208 granted.

1876-77.

The scanty rainfall of 1876, namely, about 14.4", compared with an average of 24.24", led to failure of crops and distress. The east and north-east suffered most severely. In addition to the failure of the early crops, only a few showers fell in September and October, and most of the cold-weather crops that were sown, perished. With high grain prices and very little demand for field work, the poorer classes fell into distress and about the middle of September, the need for Government help began to be felt. As the grain dealers were holding back their stores, about the middle of November, several of the municipalities opened grain shops and sold grain to the poor at cost price¹. This had no appreciable effect on the market. Through all the cold and hot weather, prices remained high and distress, though not very severe, was widespread. The next rains (June 1877) began well. But again, there came a long time of dry weather. In August, prices shot up and affairs seemed rather critical. A good rainfall at the end of August revived the failing crops. Prospects rapidly brightened, and at the close of November the demand for special Government help ceased. Though prices were high and there was much distress, grain was always available and the scarcity never deepened into famine. Though there were many cases of individual suffering, the distress was by no means general. One village had good crops, another bad, and field differed from as much as village from village. The distress was most felt by the

¹The following statement shows the details:

KHANDESH FAMINE GRAIN SHOPS, 1876-77

Besides these, one grain shop at Savda was opened by private contribution.

labouring classes, the bhils and mahars, the latter of whom seemed at one time likely to give trouble, and by the petty local manufacturers whose industries suffered greatly from the failure of the ordinary demand. Still the distress was not so keen as to drive people away for any length of time; and from the more seriously affected districts. Ahmadnagar, Sholapur, Poona and Satara, many outsiders came and some have permanently settled. The following statement shows the movement of millet prices and of the numbers receiving relief in the whole of Khandesh (East and West) in 1876-77.

TABLE No. 47.

KHANDESH FAMINE 1876-77.

* These figures are only approximate. The average total fall for Khandesh (East and West) upto 1st December 1877 was 21.19 inches.

During the first five months of 1877, grain kept pretty steady at twenty-eight pounds per rupee or about twice the ordinary rates that its price rose rapidly in June and July till it reached 16 5/8 pounds in August and September; and that it then quickly fell to twenty-live pounds. As early as December 1876 the numbers on relief works reached 4,714. By lowering wages and enforcing the task test, the total was reduced to 2,928 in January. From this it rose to 4,023 in February, and then fell till in June it was as low as 2.386. Then, it steadily advanced till August when it reached 8,622. From this if rapidly fell to 857 in November when the relief works were closed. The numbers on charitable relief rose from 106 in March to 163 in April, and then fell to four in June. In July there was no one on charitable relief. From 165 in August, the number rose to 519 in September, and then quickly fell to ten in November.

The scarcity caused no change in the rates of cart-hire. And as the distress never deepened into famine, it was not necessary to open relief-houses or camps, or to organise a special relief staff.

At the beginning of the famine, dealers held back their stock of grain in the hope of a rise in prices. Afterwards, as they found that grain could be brought in large quantities by rail, they opened their stores, and though prices ruled high, there was no lack of grain.

A special famine census was taken on the 19th May 1877, when famine pressure was widespread and severe. It showed that out of 2.745 workers. 1.683 belonged to the sub-divisions where the work was carried on; 388 belonged to different sub-divisions of the same district: 648 were from other districts; and twenty-six from neighbouring states. As regards their occupation, 155 were manufacturers or craftsmen, 589 were holders of land, and 1,992 were labourers. The total cost of the famine was estimated at Rs. 3,06,160. of which Rs. 3,02,801 were spent on public and civil works and Rs. 3,359 on charitable relief.

Famine EFFECTS.

Compared with the former year, the criminal returns showed a total increase of 871 offences, [The details are on the increase, under offences against public justice, 9; under rioting or unlawful assembly, 2; under murder, 1; under dacoity, 9; under robbery. 9: under lurking house-trespass or house-breaking, 25; under hurt, 17: under mischief, 18; under theft of cattle, 61; under ordinary theft, 629; under receiving stolen property, 46; and under criminal or house-trespass, 8. Police reports, 1877] mainly due, in the Commissioner's opinion, to the scarcity and high prices which ruled throughaut the year. The estimated special mortality was about 474 souls. There are no trustworthy statistics of the numbers of cattle who left and returned to the district. Though the loss of stock was great, it did trot interfere with the carrying of grain or with field work: nor in other respects was the rent-paying and working power of the district affected. The tilled area in 1877-78 and in 1878-79 exceeded that in 1876-77 by 64,445 and 1,18,880 acres, respectively. Of Rs. 30,17,802, the land revenue for collection for 1876-77, and Rs, 21,142, outstanding balances for former years, Rs. 30,15,629 and Rs. 3,550 respectively were recovered by the close of the year, and Rs. 6,580 were written off as irrecoverable. In 1877-78. the land revenue for collection was Rs. 30,38,005 and the outstanding balances amounted to Rs. 12,905, of which Rs. 30.37.773 and Rs. 3,292 were recovered respectively and Rs. 385 written off, thus raising the outstanding balances for next year to Rs. 9,460. Of Rs. 31.00,690, the land revenue for collection for 1878-79, Rs. 30.93.991, and of the balances, Rs. 3,774 were recovered before the close of the year and Rs. 56 written off, leaving for future recovery a balance of Rs. 12,329. On the 1st January 1880. the sum outstanding was Rs. 5,953-7-8. Of this, in June 1880, Rs. 2,291-7-2 were written off as irrecoverable. [Government Resolution, 2002 (Financial), 9th June 1880.]

No special works were started for the relief of the famine-stricken. Only the ordinary budgeted works were taken in hand and they helped to give relief to those who chose to avail them selves of it.

1896.

In 1896, the first rains were abundant and the kharip crop was good: but the later rains having failed entirely, there was no rabi. The district suffered in consequence of high prices due to famine conditions prevailing in the adjoining districts and relief works had to be undertaken. The part of Bhusawal taluka which lies north-east of the Central Railway with the Edlabad peta and the southern half of Jalgaon taluka were the areas of greatest scarcity. The hill tribes did not suffer.

1899.

In 1899, the rainfall was less than one-third of the normal. The June fall was below the average and the average rainfall was very deficient during the next three months. The monsoon ceased at the end of September. The kharip crop was a total failure and the rabi was not sown, except in irrigated lands, for want of the late rains. The crop outturn went down considerably as compared with a norma] year. Surrounding districts were also affected and acute famine prevailed throughout the Khandesh district.

1900-01.

In 1900-01, the monsoon was feeble in June and closed early, but relief works were considered not necessary.

1918-19.

The rainfall in 1918-19 was much below normal. Adequate rain was not received till the end of June. There was a break after the first week of July, then there was sufficient rain in August, but the September rain was scanty and failed after the first fortnight. The result was a failure more or less of jowar and bajri. Cotton was not very bad. The rabi crop was a failure; but being an insignificant crop in the district, the damage done was not very considerable. There was no necessity for declaring famine conditions. Scarcity was widespread. The Bhusawal taluka and the Edlabad peta were the areas most affected. The scarcity was due partlv to the failure of the rainfall and partly to the abnormal rise in the prices of food and all other necessaries in consequence of traffic restrictions necessitated by the War.

1946-47.

The scarcity in this year was due to an unprecedented hail-storm that occurred on 5th November 1946. This was followed by another storm on 31st December 1946 over the Tapi Girna Valley causing damage to 91 villages in the Talgaon, Amalner, Chopda, Erandol and Yawal talukas. Suspensions and remissions were granted as under: —

1952-53.

In 1952-53, scarcity conditions were officially declared all over the district. As against the average of 24 inches, only about 14 inches of rainfall was received. Late rains (as late as in the last week of June) were responsible for delay in the commencement of kharip operations. Even the rain that was received till 15th July was not only scanty but totally inadequate to start sowing operations in some talukas like Chopda, Yawal, Amalner, Parola, Pachora, Chalisgaon and Raver. This condition was much easened by continuous rain in the second fortnight of July which enabled the completion of sowing and resowing operations. The crops continued to grow well till the end of August. There was a dry spell from 10th August to 23rd September and practically no rain was received anywhere in the district. The crops rapidly began to deteriorate and the crops in the barad and inferior types of lands withered away completely. The failure of rains in the first fortnight of September, so necessary for bringing the kharip crops to maturity, changed the situation from bad to worse; the general annewari stood at four annas.

A population of 13,03,588 comprising largely agriculturists and staying in 1,156 villages with a total area of 10,16,893 acres was hit bv the scarcity. To alleviate tbe distress, speedy measures were taken by public and private bodies and the Government, by opening relief centres. At each scarcity relief centre, arrangements were made for the supply of drinking water to workers. Rest-sheds were also provided for labourers so that they could relax in oil time. Two weaving and spinning centres, one each at Parola and Erandol talukas. were opened to provide light work to displaced persons and to those not accustomed to hard labour. In addition to local medical officers, four special medical officers were appointed for rendering speedy medical help to labourers on searcity works. In-door patients were also admitted on Jamda and Velhale works. The staff of Public Health Department did the work of disinfection. vaccination, etc.. at each works. The other assistance rendered to the local population is briefly described in the paragraphs that follow: —

(i) Cash Doles.— Nearly 8,000 persons (many of whom were old, crippled and invalid) availed of this relief and were paid on a specified scale. The largest number of persons on dole register in a single week was 7.222. Cash payments were also made to workers whose earnings were not adequate to maintain their family. Gratuitous relief was granted to inferior village servants. Their largest number recorded on a single day was 2.930. The total amount expended for all kinds of gratuitous relief stood ac Rs. 3,26.863.

(ii) Food and Clothing.—Twenty-four feeding centres and twenty canteens were opened and run by the District Famine Relief Committee which was supplied grain at controlled rates by the Government. The various taluka Famine Relief Committees and the District Famine Relief Committee collected 300 maunds of foodgrains and funds to the extent of Rs. 1.15,500. The Bombay State Famine Relief Committee also sent Rs. 1,30,000. The collections made by these Committees were utilised for running kitchens and canteens which supplied food to labourers at subsidised rates. Thev also distributed clothes and granted loans to, these labourers.

(iii) Milk; Distribution.—In all 106 centres were opened for the distribution of UNICEF [ United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.] milk powder to young children, school-going children and expectant and nursing mothers. Nearly 24.874 lbs. of powder was distributed to 1.57,277 beneficiaries.

(iv) Fodder. —To meet the fodder shortage, 28 Government grazing grounds and closed coupes comprising about 15,000 acres were thrown open for free grazing. Crass was also supplied at concessional rates to the needy agriculturists from reserved grazing lands. After December. 1952. however, the Government were compelled to import 721 wagons of hay, 31 wagons of kadbi, 14 wagons of wheat bhusa or koot, chaff and 367 tons of groundnut oil-cake. This was distributed in scarcity areas at reasonable rates. In their fodder operations, the Government subsidised to the tune of about Rs. 96,300.

Cattle camps were also opened at five places in the Satpuda forests to accommodate about 18.000 cattle, though the response was poor. The District Committee also started four cattle camps in non-forest areas for essential cattle. About 3,000 cattle were sheltered there for about three months. Because of these timely measures, there was neither a death toll nor a migration.

(v) Water-supply.—The soil water resources had either gone deep or almost dried up as a result of deficient rainfall. The Yawal. Raver and Chopda talukas were, however, the exceptions. In some villages, scarcity of drinking-water became very acute. A scheme was, therefore, chalked out to deepen the wells at all the places where scarcity of drinking-water was being experienced. All the Agricultural Assistants, Circle Inspectors and Circle Aval Karkuns were entrusted with the work of digging or deepening tube-wells with the co-operation of villagers. The total expenditure incurred in this connection by the Government was Rs. 39,668 and by the local bodies, Rs. 1,65,700. The following is tbe statistical data in respect of works taken up for increasing the supply of drinking-water: —

(vi) Tagain, etc.—About Rs. 17.91,592 were distributed among 25.000 families as tagai loans in tbe scarcity areas. Paddy and Jowar seeds (about 27,000 bags) were also distributed as tagai in some cases. Suspensions in respect of payment of land revenue and tagai dues were granted (in full or half) for the revenue year 1952-53 as follows: —

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