AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

SOILS

The most predominant rock formation of the district is the Konkan laterite, formed from the original trap. It is an argillo-ferrugenous deposit and covers the major portion of the land surface forming undulating plateaus with a general elevation of 200 to 300 feet Laterisation has taken place under the hot humid conditions. Due to heavy rainfall, the bases have been leached away along with the silicic acid and hence the resulting rock is acidic in reaction and rich in iron and aluminium oxides with a silica-sesquioxide ratio of less than two. The hydrated iron oxides impart the red colour to the soils. Due to these geological formations the soils of the district are mostly lateritic which are found mixed with trappean soils in the north and shallow soils in the south. Along the coast are the alluviums. There are small patches of salt lands developed near the creeks. The following table gives detailed analysis of the types of soil found in Ratnagiri district:-

TABLE No. 8.

ANALYSIS OF THE SOILS OF RATNAGIRI DISTRICT.

Lateritic Soils.

Lateritic soils which are predominant in the district, vary in colour from bright red to brownish red owing to the preponder ance of hydrated iron oxides. They are always acidic, the PH value ranging from 4.5 to 6.5. Lime is deficient or almost absent. Usually they have very low phosphorus and potash content, but are fairly well supplied with nitrogen and organic matter. Their texture is loamy and depth varies from one foot to three feet. They are porous and not retentive of moisture and are found all over the district except in Mandangad taluka which consists mainly of forests. These soils, however, are found in several grades, which depend upon their (soils) location and the extent of admixture of different rocks. The following of these grades are of special significance.

Rice Soils.

These soils have various names which are identified with their location. Those situated at higher levels are usually known as mal, while those at slightly lower levels are called kuryat soils. Near the water courses, which have a fair supply of water during the rabi season, are the panthal or vaingan soils. All these soils benefit by liming and give high response to the application of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers. Only a kharif crop of paddy can be taken on these soils. On the panthal soils, however, a crop of rabi pulse (wal) or summer (vaingan) paddy can also be taken.

Varkas Soils.

These soils are situated on the slopes of the hills and are partly eroded, yellowish red and poor in fertility. Further, they are shallow in depth and coarse in texture. Ragi (nagli) is the principal crop in these soils and it responds well to supplies of nitrogen and phosphate. Cashewnut grows in plenty in this area. It is on these soils that the world renowned Alphonso mangoes are grown. On the mountain tops are the perennial forests, where the soils are rich in humus because of their being protected from erosion. They are reddish-brown in colour.

Garden Soils.

These soils are usually of mixed origin, varying from yellow-red to brown and are located in the basins at the bottom of the hill ranges. They are light, easily workable, well-drained and fairly fertile. Arecanut and cocoanut gardens thrive well in these soils and are located in areas which have plenty of water supply and good drainage. These crops respond well to application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash.

Coastal Alluviums.

The coastal strips in Dapoli, Guhagar, Ratnagiri and Rajapur talukas are covered with soils of recent deposits and are locally known as pulanwat. They are deep sandy loams and cocoanut gardens and arecanut gardens thrive well in them. Paddy is also taken here to some extent.

Salt Lands.

Due to the inundation of the sea, a part of the coastal soils has "become salty. They are locally known by several names like khar, khajan, kharvat, etc. In Deogad, Malvan and Vengurla talukas, the entire western strips are salty while in other coastal talukas only salt patches which are suited to the coarser types of paddy are to be noticed.

Since these salt lands have not yet become alkaline, they can be reclaimed for cultivation. With a view to making khar lands fit for cultivation Government enacted the Bombay Khar Lands Act, 1948 and passed the Bombay Khar Lands Rules, 1949 to provide for protection and improvement of khar and khajan lands and reclamation of tidal lands in the State by construction and maintenance of and repairs to embankments of the lands. The act was brought into force with effect from 11th July 1949 in the district. Under the provisions of the Act, the Government established the Khar Lands Development Board on 11th July 1949. The Revenue Department administers the Act, and sanctions individual Khar Lands Scheme thereunder approved and prepared by the Board. The schemes so sanctioned are executed and completed by the Board. The Act provides for a Government subsidy of 40 per cent, of the cost of the schemes; the remaining 60 per cent, to be contributed by the beneficiaries. The Board also recovers a small annual cess called "Khar Bandisti Akar" from the beneficiaries, being the cost of maintenance of the embankments constructed under the scheme. By 1958, the Board had reclaimed in this district about 1,959 acres covered by 13 schemes at a cost of Rs. 1,51,305.

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