AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CEREALS

The following table indicates talukawise acreage under cereals in Satara district in 1956-57: —

TABLE No. 12.

AREA UNDER CEREALS (TALUKA-WISE) IN SATARA DISTRICT. 1956-57.

(In acres),

Rice.

Rice (Bhat) occupied the third place among the food crops of the State. Warm and moist climate is conducive to its abundant growth. Rice crop can stand higher temperature than other cereal crops and is grown in places having annual rainfall between 40 and 45 inches and above. There are three ways of raising the rice crop, viz., (a) broadcasting, (b) drilling, and (e) transplanting. The adoption of a particular method depends largely upon the rainfall and soil conditions. In Satara district several varieties of rice such as chimansal, ambemohor, raibag, kolamba (fine), varangal, ashta (mid-fine), dodak and patni (both coarse) are grown. The total area under rice in the district in the year 1956-57 was 57,431 acres of which 22,066 acres and 11,882 acres were in Patan and Jaoli talukas, respectively.

Rice is taken under a transplanted system in forty per cent, of the total area under this crop. In March or April, a plot is chosen for seed—bed either in the rice field itself or on higher ground close to the field and is ploughed and levelled. Six to eight gunthas are enough for raising seedlings sufficient for one acre of land. Seedlings are generally grown by rub method in June. As a result of propaganda and demonstrations organised in the district to popularise the Japanese Method of paddy cultivation, rabbing is being replaced by the application of farm yard manure and fertilisers. Under this method an area of three or four gunthas is enough for raising seedlings sufficient for one acre of land. The seed rate per acre has also been reduced from 60 lbs. or 80 lbs. to 20 lbs. or 25 lbs. In the case of the drilled crop, the: seed rate varies between 40 lbs. and 60 lbs. per acre. In heavy rainfall tracts it is drilled six inches apart, while in medium rainfall tracts it is drilled nine inches apart. According to local practice it is transplanted five or six inches apart with ten to twelve seedlings per hill, while under improved method, transplanting is done from nine to twelve inches apart with only three or four seedlings per hill.

In places where rice is transplanted, fields are carefully embanked so as to allow water to spread evenly in the field and to remain at A desirable depth. Such bunded rice fields are known as khachars. In July when seedlings are from five to six inches high, they are cautiously pulled out, tied in small bundles and are taken and planted by hand in the adjoining rice fields. This method of transplanting is quite expensive, as it involves considerable labour. The yield of rice depends as much upon the plentiful and constant supply of water as upon the character of the soil. Ripe paddy is harvested with sickle (vila) and stalks with ear-heads are stacked on the threshing floor.

Generally light soils are not manured. The method of quartering sheep is followed, wherever possible, or alternatively, five or six cart-loads of farm yard manure is applied. In tracts with assured rainfall and medium soil, top dressing of groundnut cake or manure mixture at the rate, of two bags (i.e. 320 lbs.) per acre is given in two doses. The first dose (about 240 lbs.) is given in July, a week after transplanting. The second dose (about 80 lbs.) is administered in August, a fortnight before flowering. No inter-culturing is undertaken in the ease of locally transplanted crop.

But in respect of drilled and broadcast rice, frequent weeding is necessary. Hence two hand-weedings and two or three inter-culturings are given. The early varieties mature in three and a half months, mid-late ones in four and a half months and late ones in five months since planting. They yield 14, 20 and 22 Bengali maunds, respectively, as against 14 Bengali maunds of rice under local method. EK 70 has been introduced as an early variety for light soils, chimansal 30 and krishnasal-1 have been introduced for medium soils and ambemohor 157 for low-lying heavy rainfall areas. The expenditure averages from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150. and the income from Rs. 150 to Rs. 280. thereby leaving a net margin of Rs. 60 to Rs. 130 per acre.

The disease blast, which causes damage to the crop, is controlled by treating the seed with fungicides. Swarming caterpillars and stem borers, the important pests of the crop, are controlled by dusting the crop with 50 per cent. Benzene hexachloride. The following table gives the acreage under and outturn of rice during the period from 1938-39 to 1954-55:-

TABLE No. 13.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF PADDY IN SATARA DISTRICT
(1938-39 TO 1954-55).

(Figures in hundreds).

Jowar.

Jowar (Jvari), Indian millet, is widely grown in the district. In 1956-57, jowar under kharif and rabi cultivation occupied an area of 1,46,009 and 2,76,531 acres, respectively. Though it is taken throughout the district, its outturn is concentrated in Phaltan, Koregaon, Karad, Man, Satara and Wai talukas. It is taken as non-irrigated crop after groundnut and sometimes as an irrigated crop after chillies, etc. In both the cases no manuring is done to the crop, as the previous crops are adequately manured. Usually jowar is taken after early variety of groundnut, french beans, etc.

Jowar is taken in kharif as well as in rabi seasons. Land is ploughed once in three years. But harrowing is done three or four times in a year. Kharif jowar is sown in June-July and rabi jowar in October-November. They are harvested in October-November and February-March, respectively. Ten to twelve pounds of seed; are sown per acre, in rows, 10 to 12 inches apart. After three weeks from sowing, two or three inter-culturings are given once in a fortnight. According to the Poona method, dibbling 18" X 18" or drilling 18" apart is done. The increase in yield resulting from this method ranges from fifty per cent, to cent per cent. The average yield of kharif jowar per acre is 500 lbs. to 600 lbs. of non-irrigated land and 1,000 lbs. to 1,200 lbs. of irrigated land. The corresponding figures for the rabi crop are 400 lbs. to 500 lbs. and 800 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. per acre, respectively [Argal and Mhamdapuri are the two main varieties of kharif jowar and Dagdi and Maldani of rabi jowar. The improved strain Maldani 35—1 has also been introduced in the district.].

Stem-borer and grass hoppers are the two important pests and grain-smut is an important disease of the crop. The steins of jowar provide good fodder for the cattle.

The following figures give on an average, the expenditure, gross income and net margin per acre under the cultivation of jowar:—

Jowar flour is chiefly used in the preparation of a bread (bhakari) which forms the most important item of diet over a large part of the State. The grain is much consumed as a popped corn (lahis). Lahis are prepared by parching or roasting the grain in a popper The parched grain with salt, gul, chillies, etc. (as flavouring ingredients), is also made into special dishes. When in season, the parched unripe jowar heads form the popular preparation called ' hurda'. The comparative position regarding the acreage under and outturn of the crop during the period from 1938-39 to 1954-55, is set out in the following table.

TABLE No. 14.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF JOWAR IN SATARA DISTRICT
(1938-39 TO 1954-55).

(Figures in hundreds)

BAJRA.

Bajra (Bajri), spiked millet, stands second to jowar in importance as a food crop. It requires moderately dry climate and light showers of rainfall with plenty of sunshine between the showers. The crop can grow in regions having seven to forty inches of rainfall. Wherever rainfall is around ten inches, it should be well distributed over the monsoon months. It is grown on a variety of soils ranging from light to medium types. Rain at the time of germination of the seed, flowering and harvesting is very harmful, as it affects the yield considerably. To avoid this, the crop is sown rather late i.e., between July and mid-August. It is a kharif crop, being sown a little later and reaped a little earlier than jowar. Where irrigation facilities are available, it is taken as a hot season crop and sown in February-March.

The field is prepared by harrowing it twice or thrice in April-May, and once again, when the soil is sufficiently moistened by monsoon rain. If there are weeds, one ploughing, four to six inches deep, is required. It is a finer grain than jowar and requires more careful tillage. The crop is usually sown in June-July and matures in October-November. The crop is seldom watered or manured. However, to increase the yield of the crop, five cart-loads of farm yard manure is applied per acre. Five to six lbs. of seed per acre are sown, nine to ten inches apart between lines. Now-a-days distance of twelve inches is also maintained and thinning out at a distance of four to five inches is practised. Bajri is always a mixed crop sown with mixtures of kulthi, matki, mug, and tur, etc., which are sown in every fourth or eighth line of the seed bed. When the crop is four to five feet high, the weeds and grass are cleared by means of hand-weeding and inter-culturing. A timely rainfall in August favours the growth of bajra.

Bajra occupied an area of 4,02,434 acres in 1956-57, and its production was concentrated in Koregaon, Khandala, Phaltan, Man, and Khatav talukas. Average yield of the crop is between 300 lbs. and 350 lbs. per acre. If improved methods are followed, the yield increases to 400-450 lbs. per acre. The expenditure averages Rs. 50 to Rs. 80, and the income, Rs. 100 to Rs. 200, thereby leaving a net margin of Rs. 50 to Rs. 120 per acre. The blister beetle is an important insect pest affecting the crop. Gosavi and argat are the two main diseases which can be controlled by selection of seeds. The comparative position regarding the acreage under and outturn of the crop during the period 1938-39 to 1954-55 is set out in the table below: —

TABLE No. 15.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF BAJRA IN SATARA DISTRICT
(1938-39 TO 1954-55).

(Figures in hundreds)

Wheat.

Wheat (gahu), occupied in 1956-57, an area of 33,196 acres in the district. It is taken throughout the district. It requires dry and cold weather during the period of its growth. It is not as drought resistant as jowar and requires more dependable supply of water. Hence it is usually an irrigated crop and thrives well in black soils called mena. The main local varieties in the district are khapli, pote and shet-gahu. However, these are being replaced by variety kenphad. Irrigated varieties (khapli and bansi) are sown late in October. As both these are susceptible to stem rust, they are being replaced by kenphad 25. The number of ploughings and harrowings given to the crop, varies from district to district. However, as a general rule, the soil is ploughed six or seven inches deep at the commencement of rain, followed by frequent harrowings which suppress the growth of weeds and allow thorough absorption of rain water and prevent loss of water due to evaporation. If available, four to ten cart-loads of well-decayed farmyard manure is applied. An irrigated crop is necessarily manured at the rate of 10-15 cartloads of farmyard manure per acre, or alternatively, five to ten cart-loads of farmyard manure together with 100 lbs. of ammonium sulphate is given. Sowing is done from the first week of October to the middle of November, with 12" to 18" distance between the rows. In some places sowing is done cross-wise. Seed rate per acre varies from 40 lbs. to 50 lbs. for dry crop and from 60 lbs. to 80 lbs. for an irrigated crop. Planking after sowing is advisable as it helps satisfactory germination of the seed.

The crop requires four or five months to mature since sowing and is ready for harvest by middle of February or March. The average yield per acre of dry crop varies from 350 lbs. to 400 lbs. The yield per acre in the case of irrigated crop ranges between 800 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. The expenditure averages Rs. 90-130, and income Rs. 300-450, thereby leaving a net margin of Rs. 210-320. The grain is more nutritive than jowar but the fodder is very poor.

Rust, the main disease of the crop, is overcome by the use of resistant variety like kenphad — 25. The comparative position regarding the acreage under and outturn of the crop during the period 1938-39 to 1954-55, is given in the following table:—

TABLE No. 16.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF WHEAT IN SATARA DISTRICT
(1938-39 TO 1954-55)

(Figures in hundreds)

Maize.

Maize (maka), occupied 3,999 acres in the district in 1956-57 Its outturn is concentrated in Karad and Patan talukas, covering an area of 1,578 and 1,443 acres, respectively. It is taken mostly as a fodder crop and is generally sown in irrigated tracts in June and harvested in September. Sometimes, it is sown in February and harvested in May. It requires black and fertile soil. The seed rate per acre is 30-40 lbs., sown with a distance of 9" to 12" between two lines. It is taken as a mixed crop with turmeric. The average yield per acre is 500 lbs. of grain and 20,000 lbs. of green fodder. The crop is useful in many ways. When the grain is white and in milk stage, its ears are readily sold in towns. The green fodder is excellent, being very sweet. Maize grain is nutritious and contains a large quantity of fat. The expenditure averages Rs. 40-50, and income, Rs. 60-70, thereby leaving a net margin of Rs. 20-25. The comparative position regarding the acreage under and outturn of maize during the period from 1938-39 to 1951-55 is given in the table below:—

TABLE No. 17.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF MAIZE IN SATARA DISTRICT.
(1938-39 TO 1954-55)

(Figures in hundred)

Ragi.

Ragi (nagli or nachani) is an important food and fodder crop taken in heavy rainfall tracts along the hill slopes on varkas lands. In Satara district it is grown from transplanted seedlings. The nursery or seed bed is prepared with the same care as for rice and the seed is sown in it as early as possible. The main field is got ready when the seedlings are growing. Seedlings are transplanted in furrows opened by light ploughs known as nangari, in the second fortnight of July. One to three ploughings are given to the soil. Two or three seedlings are planted in a bunch at each place. The distance between the rows is 15" to 18" and between plants 6" to 9". At the time of hand weeding, extra seedlings are removed. The crop is transplanted in July and becomes ready for harvest by the end of October or by the beginning of November. The yield per acre, in the case of early varieties, is 300-400 lbs, and, in the case of late varieties, 500-600 lbs.

Ripe grain is used for preparing bread. Sometimes, flour is made into a cooling drink called ambil. Green heads are parched and eaten as hurda during the harvesting season. Nachani is said to be very nutritious, The quality of the fodder is, however, very poor.

The comparative position regarding acreage under and outturn of the crop during the period 1938-39 to 1954-55, is given in the following table:—

TABLE No. 18.

AREA UNDER AND OUTTURN OF RAGI IN SATARA DISTRICT (1938-39 TO 1954-55)

(Figures in hundreds)

Rala.

Rala is a minor crop in the district. It thrives best on medium light soils. The land is prepared by ploughing it once, or alternatively, two or three harrowings are given. The crop is sown in July-August. Usually rala is not taken as a mixed crop. The crop is ready for harvest by October when it is cut close to the ground with a sickle. The average yield varies from 250 lbs. to 300 lbs. per acre. Generally no manure is applied to the crop.

Vari.

Vari is another minor cereal grown in the district. It occupied an area of 15,428 acres in 1956-57 of which 8,668 acres were in Patan. It is always taken as a mixed crop. It is a hill-millet and is entirely a kharif crop. It is never irrigated. It is raised like nagli from seedlings and the cultivation of both the crops is similar in many respects. It is grown in light red soils on hilly tracts. The crop is hand-weeded once in August. If transplanted early in July, the crop ripens by October. The crop is reaped with a sickle.

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