GENERAL ECONOMIC SURVEY

AGRICULTURAL TOOLS

These were old and of indigenous type, though some improved implements have been in vogue. Ploughs, harrows, levellers, clod-crushers, seed drills and hoes are the main implements. Along with the use of ploughs manufactured by well-known firms in Satara and Sangli districts, sometimes foreign manufactured ploughs are also used. Among other improved implements used are disc and Norwegian harrows, box levellers, ridgers, tooth or shovel cultivators, wheat threshers, Japanese hand hoes, rotary hoes, plant pullers, sprayers and dusters. Till 1954-55 a tractor unit was working in the district which has now been shifted to Dhulia. Boring machines were used for boring wells, and in 1954-55, 26 wells were bored. Repairs and replacements are done by a village blacksmith and a carpenter, wherever possible. The services of the agents dealing in improved implements have got to be utilised when the machines cannot be repaired locally.

Though much progress has been made in this district in the use of machine power for ploughing water-lifting, sugarcane crushing, etc., livestock continued to have its own value. 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 others, e.g., pigs, donkeys, etc.

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