AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

VEGETABLES

Vegetables occupied 4,805 acres, in 1958-59, of which Panvel, Shriwardhan and Alibag sub-divisions shared more than sixty per cent. Brinjal, tomato and sweet potato are among the main vegetables grown in the district. The following table shows the taluka-wise distribution of area under vegetables in the district in 1958-59:—

TABLE No. 67

AREA UNDER VEGETABLES (TALUKA-WISE.) (1958-59).

Vange.

Vange (brinjal) is the most important vegetable grown in the district. It occupied 537 acres in 1958-59, half of which was shared by the Panvel taluka. The following table gives taluka-wise distribution of area under brinjal in the district in 1958-59: -

TABLE No. 68

AREA UNDER Vange (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

It grows well on medium-brown soil with a depth of twelve to twenty-four inches. The land is ploughed to a depth of from six to eight inches and well-rotted farm-yard manure is applied at a rate of twenty cart-loads per acre. Seeds are sown in nursery beds and seedlings transplanted four or five weeks afterwards. Sowing is done in August-February at a rate of one pound per acre. The land is laid into beds or ridges and furrows. In beds, 2½ x 2½ size squares are made and in the case of ridges and furrows, a distance varying from two and a half to three feet is kept between two ridges. Two seedlings are planted at each place. Irrigation is done immediately after transplanting. A second irrigation is given after the fourth day and subsequent irrigations follow at an interval of from ten to twelve days. Top-dressing of groundnut cake is done in two or three doses after transplanting, then after flowering and finally one month thereafter. The crop gets ready after three months and harvesting continues for another three months hence. Well-developed fruits are plucked and fields inspected every alternate day. Different varieties yield from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds per acre and are used as a vegetable.

Tomato.

Tomato occupied 392 acres in 1958-59 of which Panvel taluka alone accounted for well over seventy per cent. The following table gives taluka-wise distribution of area under tomato in the district in 195859:-

TABLE No. 69

AREA UNDER TOMATO (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

It grows on a variety of soils, although well-drained light brown or black medium soil suits the crop best. The land is prepared byploughing to a depth of six or seven inches. The clods are broken and powdered with a harrow. Well-rotted farm-yard manure is applied at a rate of twenty cart-loads per acre. Seeds are first sown in nursery beds and seedlings transplanted in three or four weeks. Transplanting is done in June, October and February; but the crop transplanted in June gives the highest yield. The land is laid into ridges and furrows three feet apart and seedlings are transplanted three feet apart in each row on the sides of ridges.

Two seedlings are planted together. Irrigation is given immediate-ly after transplanting and at an interval of eight or ten days when there is no rain. Top-dressing with groundnut cake or ammonium sulphate is heneficial. Earthing up is done just before flowering. The crop gets ready in about three months. Fruits changing from green to reddish tinge are harvested. Harvesting continues for about two months. The average yield of the crop varies from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds per acre. The tomato fruit is used as a vegetable as also in the preparation of juice or sauce.

Ratale.

Ratale (sweet potato) occupied 388 acres in 1958-59 of which Karjat and Pen talukas shared more than sixty per cent. The following table gives taluka-wise area under the crop, in the district in 1958-59:-

TABLE No. 70

AREA UNDER Ratale (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

The crop can be taken in a variety of soils. It does not, how-ever, thrive except on naturally drained land. The crop is grown during the cold season and under irrigation. The land is first thoroughly cleaned by repeated ploughings and harrowings. It is then made into ridges and furrows. Farm-yard manure is applied at a rate of from fifteen to twenty cart-loads per acre. Top-dressing of 240 pounds of manure is given to the crop. It is propagated by cuttings, which can be obtained from the nursery. The cuttings with three nodes are planted on the sides of the ridges two and a half feet apart. About a hundred vines are required per acre from which cuttings are made. The stems, which throw out roots at each node, are repeatedly lifted dear from the ground and turned over to prevent the formation of small tubers. The crop in supposed to be ripe, when leaves of the vine turn yellow and drop off. It matures in about five months. The crop can be left in the soil and harvested by hand-digging for a month after maturing. The average out-turn of the crop is about 8.000 pounds per acre. The produce is dried in the sun for a week before it is taken to market. The tubers of the crop are used as pods. They can be dried and made into chips and flour. The vines are fed to cattle.

Mula.

Mula (radish) occupied 27 acres in 1958-59, half of which was shared by the Shriwardhan taluka. The following table gives taluka-wise distribution of the crop in the district in 1958-59:—

TABLE No. 71

AREA UNDER Mula (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

It grows well in a fairly rich but loose soil and can be raised in any season. The land is ploughed, harrowed and loosened to a depth of six or seven inches and manure is applied at a rate of from ten to fifteen cart-loads of farmyard manure. It is grown as a single crop and seeds sown are broadcast in beds at the rate of three or four pounds per acre. As a mixed crop taken along with other vegetable crops, it is dibbled at a distance varying from eight to twelve inches on ridges or water channels. During the season, frequent irrigations at intervals of five or six days can be given to the crop. The roots get ready in four or five weeks for pulling out. They are pulled out early in the morning and, bundles made, of four or five roots with leaves intact. The yield of roots averages 3,000 pounds per acre. The common variety is one with long and white roots. The roots, leaves and pods are used as a vegetable.

Kobi.

Cabbage occupied 31 acres in 1958-59 of which Pen and Panvel talukas shared about sixty per cent. The following table gives taluka-wise area under cabbage in the district in 1958-59:-

TABLE No. 72

AREA UNDER Kobi (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

It grows well in sandy loam or clay loam soils in cool winters. The field is left fallow in kharif season and ploughed in September to a depth of six or seven inches. Well-rotted farm-yard manure is applied at a rate of twenty to forty cartloads per acre. Sowing is done in August and transplanting in September. The crop matures in about three months, during which period eight or nine waterings are required. Top-dressing of oil-cake and sulphate of ammonia is necessary up to one month since transplantation. When the earheads get ready, they are hand-picked. The yield from a well-manured field averages from 10,000 to 20,000 lbs. per acre. Leaves of the crop are fed to cattle, while its heads are used as a vegetable.

Kanda.

Kanda (onion) occupied 24 acres in 1958-59 of which Pen taluka shared 15 acres and, Panvel taluka, nine acres. The land is ploughed to a depth of six or seven inches. The clods are broken and pulverised and seedbeds made firm. The onion is also sown on ridges and furrows and farmyard manure applied at a rate of twenty cart-loads per acre. The cultivation of the crop can be undertaken either for bulbs or for seeds, although the former assumes larger proportion. Seeds are sown on raised seedbeds in October-November. The seedlings get ready in four or five weeks. Irrigation is given prior to transplanting. Seedlings are trans-planted at a distance of four or five inches in rows nine inches apart. In the ridges and furrows, they are transplanted on both sides of the ridges, half way upwards. There should be standing water in the plot at the time of transplanting. Irrigation after every twelve days is necessary and stirring must be done before irrigation. Top-dressing with oil-cake powder is done from four to six weeks after transplanting. The bulbs are ready to lift in about three months after transplanting. The seed is ready for harvest in about four to eight months after transplanting. The seed is well-dried in the sun and preserved. From 800 to 1,000 lbs. of seed or about 7,000 lbs. of bulbs are obtained per acre of cultivation.

Kharbuj.

Kharbuj (musk melon) occupied 78 acres in 1958-59. The following table shows taluka-wise area under the crop, in the district, in 1958-59:—

TABLE No. 73

AREA UNDER Kharbuj (TALUKA-WISE) (1958-59).

The crop is cultivated, to a large extent, on sandy stretches in river-beds. As soon as the river recedes and the sand banks are exposed, small plots are fenced off. A plentiful stock of manure is then carried to the spot and put into the large holes dug at regular intervals throughout the plot. The melon seeds are sown over the manure in the holes. In some places, manuring is done after the plants are six weeks old. The fruit ripens in about three or four months since planting. Usually, the melon beds commence fruiting in April and continue to yield till June. The fruit is green or yellowish and generally used as dessert.

Other Vegetables.

 Kalingad.

Kalingad (water melon) is grown both in cold and hot seasons in moist sandy spots or in river-beds. The plants are manured, when they are six weeks old. The fruit is smooth and round. The flesh is pink or red in colour, very soft and watery and eaten raw.

Tondli.

Tondli (little gourd) is a common wild creeper growing on  bushes and hedges. The land is ploughed to a depth of eleven on twelve inches. As the crop is to live for three or four years, the tilth must be thorough and good. This is done in February-March. Farm-yard manure at the rate of thirty to thirty-five cart-loads is added and basins of 8' x 8' each are made. Three cuttings each from eight to twelve inches long and from one-half to three-fourths of an inch thick are planted in each basin. Cuttings are taken from two-year old vines, and in planting, two buds go into the soil, and the remaining two remain above the surface. The; distance kept between two cuttings is about nine inches. Water is given immediately after planting and then on the third and the ninth days. Sprouting starts two weeks after planting. Pandal (mandap) is erected for trailing the branches. Flowering starts after about ten weeks. Young tender fruits are harvested in July and February. There are fifty or sixty pickings in a year at an interval of from three to six days. From 500 to 1,500 lbs. of fruit per acre are collected at each picking. There are two common varieties of tondli, one being plump, short, smooth and without markings on the skin and the other being long and slender with vertical markings on the skin. The tondli fruit is used as a vegetable.

Suran.

Suran (elephant's foot) is grown as a rain-fed crop and supplemented with a well irrigation in the district. The land is ploughed eight to ten times and laid into beds or into broad ridges by opening furrows five feet apart, thereby making ridges about three feet wide at the top. The ridges are approximately eight inches high. Well-rotted farmyard manure is applied. The corms are allowed to sprout slightly and then planted in April-May. The crop takes three or four years to attain full growth. In the first year, planting is done at a distance of 1'x 1'; in the second yeas 1 1/2' x 11/2' ; in the third year, 3' x 2'; and, in the fourth year, 4' x 3'. Irrigation is given at the time of planting and then as required till the commencement of the rains.

Bhendi.

Bhendi (lady's finger) can be cultivated all around the year but it thrives well in kharif season. The land is ploughed to a depth of six or seven inches and the soil manured. The seed is either drilled or dibbled at a distance of twelve to fifteen inches in a row. Sowing is done either in July or in February. Irrigation is given at intervals of from six to eight days in the hot season. Harvesting is done of tender fruits six to eight weeks after sowing. The fruit is used as a vegetable and its leaves are good as fodder.

Dudhya Bhopla.

Dudhya Bhopla (bottle gourd) grows well in a medium to light soil. Land is ploughed or harrowed and small basins of about two and a half feet diameter are prepared. The distance between two basins is approximately ten feet. Manuring of farm-yard manure and burnt rubbish is given to the crop. From six to eight seeds are dibbled in each basin in May or September. The creepers are allowed to trail on the ground; but pandals (mandaps) are also prepared for trailing. Irrigation is given, if required The crop is ready in about two months and a half and well-developed fruits are harvested. The fruit is used as a vegetable.

Padval.

Padval (snake gourd) is raised as a rain-fed crop in the district. The plants soon begin to trail on the pandal. The male flowers appear after a month and a half and female flowers a week later. Fruit formation is noticed within a week since flowering. Fruits are picked at intervals of two days and a total of fifty or sixty pickings can be taken. The fruit is used as a vegetable.

Karle.

Karle (bitter gourd) is usually raised as a rain-fed crop. Fruits begin to appear after two months. Nearly fifteen pickings at intervals of four days can be taken. The fruit is used as a vegetable.

Kohala.

Kohala (ash gourd) begins to bear in three or four months. The fruit is about the size of a red pumpkin (tambda bhopla). Its flesh is white. The fruit is used as a vegetable as also in preparing halva, a sweet dish.

Kakdi.

Kakdi (cucumber) can be raised both as a rain-fed and as an irrigated crop. In the former, it is a large fruit with a green skin; while in the latter, it is a smaller egg-shaped fruit having smooth white skin. The plant begins to bear in about two months from planting. The fruit is extensively used both in the raw and cooked state as a vegetable.

Shevga.

Shevga (drum-stick) is found in all parts of the district. It does not require special care and is usually grown in the vicinity of used-up water. It flowers and fruits at various times of the year. Both flowers and leaves are eaten and the young unripe pods are a favourite ingredient in curries.

Tambada Bhopala.

Tambada Bhopla (red pumpkin) is grown in any season of the year. The creepers are allowed to trail on the ground or on roof tops. The fruit gets ready in about three or four months. It is harvested, when fully ripe. The ripe fruit is used as a vegetable.

Ghosale.

Ghosale (smooth gourd) is cultivated as a rain-fed crop but may often be seen trailing over bushes or roofs of small huts. The creeper trails on the ground or on a specially prepared pandal (mandap). The fruit gets ready in August-September. It is used as a vegetable.

Besides roots and tubers and green pod and fruit vegetables mentioned above, the district has a number of leafy vegetables.

Alu

Alu grows well under heavy sewage irrigation. After four months from planting, the leaves and stalks are gathered every three or four days. They are cut off close to the ground whilst young and tender. It takes ten months for the corm to reach maturity. The corm contains starch and is an important item of the diet. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Ambadi.

Ambadi is grown at any time of the year. Six weeks after planting, tender leaves generate in abundance. These are plucked and used as a vegetable. The sepals and petals of the flowers are made in to pickles.

Chakvat.

Chakvat is raised in early grown fields. It is cut after a month from sowing and used as a vegetable.

Chandanbatva.

Chandanbatva, chavli, chuka, methi, math, palak, pokla and tandulja are grown on garden lands at any time of the year. The chandanbatva plant stands from twelve to eighteen inches high and has red leaves at the apical portion. The crop is ready to be cut in six weeks' time. The leaves and tender stems are used as a vegetable.

Chavli.

Chavli seldom grows more than six inches in height and the leaves and stem are uniformly green. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Chuka

Chuka is ready for use in about a month's rime from sowing. The leaves and tender stems are used as a vegetable.

Methi.

Methi (fenugreek) is ready in four or five weeks. The leaves and tender shoots are used as a vegetable.

Math.

Math is fit for use after five or six weeks from sowing. The red variety stands three to five feet high with thick stems having red tinge and red leaves. The green variety is shorter than the red one. The shoots and leaves are used as a vegetable.

Palak.

Palak is ready when six weeks old. Its leaves and stems are used as a vegetable.

Pokla.

Pokla grows one or two feet in height and is ready for use in about five or six weeks from sowing. The two varieties, green and red are used as vegetables.

Tandulja.

Tandulja grows from ten to twelve inches in height and the stem is red near the root. The leaves and top shoots are used as a vegetable.

Kothimbir.

Kothimbir (coriander), when green, is removed from the field and used as a vegetable in curries and chutnees.

Miscellaneous.

In addition to the vegetables specified above, there are a number of wild vegetables in common use in the district. Forest labour mostly belonging to the Kathodi or Katkari community collects them in the jungles especially at the beginning of and throughout the rainy season and brings the same for sale in the nearby market.

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