AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

LIVE-STOCK

Live-stock plays a very important part in agriculture. Though much progress has been made in this district in the use of machine power for water-lifting, sugarcane crushing, etc., live-stock continues to have its own value. Cattle labour represents probably the most important contribution of live-stock to agriculture. A pair of bullocks for draught, a cow or buffalo for milk and manure and, in addition, a few sheep, goats and poultry are quite common to be found with a number of middle class farmers. Further, in rural areas, a farmer's status is judged by the number of cattle he maintains. In fact, no farmer can do farming economically without the aid of live-stock.

Given below are the results of the live-stock census conducted in 1951 and 1956 by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Bombay: —

TABLE No. 36

BOVINE POPULATION IN JALGAON DISTRICT, 1951 AND 1956.

The total bovine population of the district in 1956 was 6,61,748. Besides these animals, the census enumerated 29,513 sheep, 2,34,686 goats, 6,767 horses and ponies and 1,63,991 other animals such as pigs, donkeys, camels, etc. Though all these animals do not necessarily work on farm, they are useful to the farmer in a number of ways and are, therefore, included in agricultural livestock.

The proportion of bovine population varies from taluka to taluka. The following table gives talukawise distribution of important live-stock in Jalgaon district in 1956: —

TABLE No. 37

DISTRIBUTION OF LIVE-STOCK IN JALGAON DISTRICT (TALUKAWISE), 1956.

TABLE No. 37—cont.

Plough Cattle.

Though much headway has been made in the use of mechanical implements like electric pumps, oil engines, tractors, sugarcane crushers etc., bullocks still constitute a sizeable portion of total bovine population and, therefore, play an important part in agricultural operations and rural transportation. He-buffaloes do not appear to find much favour with the farmers. The plough cattle in the district varied from 1,90,647 in 1909-10 to 2,09,343 in 1920-21 and to 2,30,635 in 1956.

Milch Cattle.

Cows and buffaloes are kept mainly for breeding and milch production. Out of the total number of 2,13,901 milch cattle, 99,005 animals, that is, about 46 per cent were reported to be in milk, in 1956. Out of the rest, 2,161 females were working on farms. Cows, however, appear to be more popular in the district, primarily for the male progeny for draught. Their yield of milk is rather meagre and just sufficient for the calves and for domestic use. Buffaloes yield a good amount of milk. Milch cattle numbered 1,61,993 in 1909-10 and 1,55,160 in 1920-21.

Breeds of Cattle.

The important breeds of cows and bullocks observed in this district are Khillar, Nimari and local Malvi (mixed). They are described in the following paragraphs.

Khillar.

The animals of this breed are mostly located in the talukas of western zone, viz., Chalisgaon, Bhadgaon, Parola and Amalner. Khillar is a very hardy animal and its capacity for heavy field and transport work is remarkable. It can pull on well under prolonged drought condition. These qualities have made this breed popular in the district. Its milk yield, however, is quite low, though efforts are being made to increase it. The height of the Khillar animal is 4½ to 5½ feet and weight from 800 to 1,000 lbs.

Nimari.

This is a good breed and therefore valued much all over the district. The Nimari animals are big in size. The coat colour is red with large splashes of white on various parts of the body. Nimari bullocks are very active work cattle and found very useful for water-lifting and heavy ploughing.

Malvi (local)

These animals are owned by a large number of cultivators and are popular for medium and light draught on the roads and for cultivation. These are white-coloured, small-sized animals of a mixed and non-descript origin.

The breeds of buffaloes found in the district are the Surati and the local ones. The Surati buffaloes, compact and medium-seized, are found throughout the district. She-buffaloes yield much more milk than the animals of the local breed and are at the same time very economical to maintain. The animals of local breeds are small-sized commonly used for agricultural operations and water-lifting. These animals are also found scattered all over.

Sheep, Goats and Horses.

Sheep and goats are of local and Nimari-patenwadi type. There is also a large number of sheep and goats crossed with Marino type. These animals are supposed to be a valuable asset to the Dhangar community who mainly rear them for wool, hair, skin and mutton. Goats constitute an important source of milk supply to the poor cultivators. Most of the sheep flocks are found in the eastern tract where rainfall is less and grazing facilities are abundant. These flocks of sheep are not costly to maintain. They move during the rainy season to such areas where grazing facilities are abundant. Horses, mules and asses, though classed as agricultural live-stock, are not actually used for agricultural operations. They are mainly used for drawing conveyance, for transport work and as pack animals.

Sheep Development.

A Sheep Breeding Farm has been established at Bhilakhed in Chalisgaon taluka during the year 1946-47 under the Post-War Reconstruction Scheme. The main object of this farm is to undertake breeding trials for evolving new types of superior, fine-woolled sheep and to supply the quality seed stock for upgrading the rural flocks of sheep. The farm extends over an area of 264 acres of which about 60 acres are utilised for producing fodder. The strength of the flock maintained on the farm has increased from 53 in 1946 to nearly 520 at present.

About 20—25 selected rams are supplied annually to flock owners for breeding purposes and, during the last twelve years, 228 rams have been supplied to them. Besides, it supplies rams to the neighbouring districts like Nasik and Dhulia. Flock owners, who undertake sheep improvement work under the guidance and advice of the Animal Husbandry Department, are subsidised for owning selected stock of sheep.

Poultry Development.

Poultry development farms are an essential ingredient of the programme of agricultural development. Jalgaon district derives the benefits from the following schemes, which are in operation generally all over the State: —

(1) Supply of cocks and hatching eggs.

(2) Grant of subsidies and loans.

(3) Establishment of Poultry Centres.

(4) Poultry Training Classes.

(5) Technical advice in poultry management, feeding, sanitation, etc.

(6) Poultry shows and rallies.

Supply of pure-bred cocks is made at concessional rates with a view to encouraging improved poultry-keeping and grading up rural poultry for increased production of eggs. The demand for birds and hatching eggs is being met by the Poultry Breeding Station, Dhulia, as well as by the subsidised poultry-keepers.

The Government encourage the development of poultry by granting subsidies to deserving poultry-keepers and loans to the tune of Rs. 500 to ex-poultry students of the Poultry Training Centre, for starting a private poultry. Similarly, candidates from Jalgaon district are allowed to attend poultry training classes conducted regularly at Poultry Breeding Station, Dhulia. Lectures on poultry development are also delivered at the Camp of Village Leaders held in National Extension Service Blocks. There are also four key village centres, one each at Dhanwad, Kusumbe, Kandari and Chincholi.

The jurisdiction of the Agricultural Officer, in charge of Poultry Breeding at Dhulia, extends to Jalgaon district and the technical advice in poultry management, feeding, sanitation, etc., can be obtained from him or from the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Jalgaon. Poultry-shows are organised simultaneously with agricultural shows and local fairs.

The poultry demonstration-cum-extension centre functioning under the Poultry Development Scheme, Government of India, may open up a poultry establishment at Jalgaon in immediate years. This will widen the scope of poultry development programme and enlarge the facilities available to farmers.

The prices, prevailing in 1959, of sheep and goats (local), Khillar cow, Surati buffalo-bull and Surati she-buffalo were as under: —

Poultry.

Poultry-keeping has now developed into an important cottage or subsidiary industry in rural areas. According to 1956 census, the poultry population was 1,56,682 out of which fowls numbered 1,54,352. Eggs and flesh of the birds are a valuable non-vegetarian food.

Sources of Supply.

The district imports some pure breeds of cattle like Khillar and Nimari bulls, cows, bullocks and Surati buffaloes which are available in the weekly cattle markets held in each taluka. These markets are managed by municipal authorities or by the district local boards. The animals of pure Khillar breed are brought mainly from cattle fairs held annually at Khargon and Kharsundi in Sangli district and from the Khillar cattle shows and fairs in Sholapur district. The Nimari bullocks are, however, supplied by the Gilligan Cattle Breeding Farm, Pimpale (Jalgaon taluka) and Gangapuri Cattle Breeding Farm, Jamner, both of which are managed by the Taluka Development Associations. The animals of this breed also come from the Nimar district of Madhva Pradesh.

Products.

Milk occupies an important place among live-stock products, Jalgaon and other towns being the ready markets. Pasteurised milk is transported to Bombay almost daily from Chalisgaon where a pasteurisation plant is maintained. When milk cannot be easily transported for liquid consumption, it is converted into milk products like butter, ghee, khawa, etc. The average annual outturn of live-stock products and their value are given in the following table: —

LIVE-STOCK PRODUCTS IN JALGAON DISTRICT.

The following were the live-stock prices current in 1958-59:—

LIVE-STOCK PRICES IN JALGAON DISTRICT (1958-59).

Fodder Supply.

The District is self-sufficient in respect of fodder supply. The main sources of fodder are the grazing areas or kurans. Quality grass also grows in these kurans. It is cut, tied into bundles and sold in the market. The dry stalks of jowar, bajri and bhusa (chaff) of wheat are also fed to the cattle. They are sufficient to meet local requirements.

Health Conditions.

Generally, the working bullocks and milch cattle (cow and buffaloes) keep good health due to better care taken by the owners. Dry and useless animals are maintained chiefly on grazing and rarely, by little stocks of fodder. Naturally, their health is poor. Horses are maintained on good rations and enjoy good health. Poultry is also well-maintained.

Breeding, Veterinary and Husbandry Facilities.

There are two live-stock farms, viz. Gilligan Cattle Breeding Farm. Pimpale and Gangapuri Cattle Breeding Farm, Jamner, both of which are run hy Taluka Development Associations. Attempts are made by these farms to introduce and develop Nimar breed in the district. Veterinary aid is available from the veterinary dispensaries situated in each taluka. They are in the charge of veterinary officers.

Cattle Improvement.

A Key Village Scheme is in operation at Pimpale since 1954-55, which concentrated on the development of the Nimar breed. The present policy is, however, to develop the Khillar breed in this tract. Two Khillar bulls are kept at this centre for artificial insemination. Five additional Khillar premium bulls to serve cows have been located in key villages. Two sub-centres one at Asoda and tiie other at Nashirabad are doing the same work. One Surati buffalo bull is also kept at Pimpale to serve she-buffaloes in the key village area.

The Government schemes, that were in operation in 1958, for cattle improvement, covered location of breeding bulls, goshala development and poultry improvement.

Location of breeding bulls.

(i) Half Cost Scheme.—Under this scheme, a farmer is issued a breeding bull and subsidised Rs. 350 or half of the actual cost of the breeding bull, whichever is less. No maintenance charges are paid for this bull. It is to be maintained by the farmer in a good breeding condition for a period of three years from the date of issue. Its service is to be utilised by the villagers to improve their cattle.

(ii) District Premium Bull Maintenance Charges Scheme.— The farmer has to purchase the breeding bull at his own cost with the approval of the Department of Agriculture. A maintenance charge of Rs. 12 per month is paid for a period of three years from the date of issue. The owner is expected to maintain the bull in a good breeding condition and make available its service for improving village cattle.

(iii) Personal Ledger Account Scheme.—The farmer is granted a loan to the extent of Rs. 300 per bull from the personal ledger account of the Cattle Development Officer, Poona. The loan (at 4½ per cent interest) is repayable within three years in six equal six-monthly instalments. The breeder is also given Rs. 12 as maintenance-subsidy for a period of three years, but the maintenance charges are credited to the account of repayment of loans.

(iv) District Live-stock Advance Fund.—The scheme is almost similar to the earlier one, except that the loan is paid from the funds kept at the disposal of the Collector of Jalgaon and the Chairman, District Development Board, Jalgaon, for the purpose.

Goshala Development Scheme.

The Goshala Development Scheme provides that a foundation stock of ten breeding cows and one breeding bull is supplied at Government cost to a selected goshala or panjarpol. The goshala or panjarpol also purchases an equal number of breeding stock at its own cost. It has to carry out breeding work of this foundation stock for a period of fixe years. The goshala is given an annual grant-in-aid of Rs. 2,000 by the Government. Shri Gowardhan Sanstha. Chopda, has been implementing this sckeme since 1951-52 and encouraging the development of the Gir breed.

Poultry improvement Scheme.

Poultry Improvement Scheme provides for the supply of pure-bred cocks of improved white leg-horn breed to bonafide cultivators at the concessional rates fixed by the Poultry Development Officer. Poona. for grading of rural poultry. The Government Poultry Farm at Dhulia meets the demand of this district for birds and hatching eggs. Other benefits consist of the availability of subsidies and loans, training, technical advice, etc. There are also four key village centres one each at Dhanwad, Kusumbe, Kandari and Chincholi.

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