AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

INTRODUCTORY

It is intended to devote this part of the volume to a detailed account of the economic life in Satara district. The chapters that follow deal at length with Industries, Banking, Trade and Commerce, Communications and Miscellaneous Occupations. The account begins with a detailed description of the agricultural economy of the district. However, to give the reader a bird's-eye view of the various economic aspects of the life of the people, these chapters are preceded by a summary of what is to follow. This will serve as an introduction to the description of the economic organisation of the district. In continuation of this, similar attempt is also made in the chapter, ' Economic Trends' which is divided into two sections, ' Standard of Life' and ' Economic Prospects'. The former briefly describes the material requisites enjoyed by people belonging to various strata of social life in the district within the framework of existing resources at their disposal. The latter analyses the possibilities of economic development in all the spheres of economic life in the future having regard to economic potentialities of the district and the planned efforts of the Government.

Population.

It is not possible to analyse the changes in the structure of population since the publication of Old Gazetteer (1885) mainly because present district of Satara emerged in 1948 as a result of the partition of the former Satara district into two units (the other being Sangli) and their reconstitution consequent upon the merger of the adjoining princely states (like Aundh, Bhor, Phaltan, Miraj, Sangli, etc.) and other territorial adjustments. The census of 1951 returned 11,75,309 persons as inhabitants of Satara district. The pace of urbanisation is very slow and the district continues even today to be predominantly agricultural; as much as 9,07,165 or nearly 77 per cent, of the population depending upon agriculture as their principal means of livelihood and 1,55,561 or nearly 13 per cent, following it as their subsidiary or secondary means of livelihood.

Of the total population of 11,75,309 in 1951, 2,74,935 were self-supporting persons; 2,18,412 earning dependents and 6,81,962 non-earning dependents. The agricultural class (i.e., those depending upon agriculture as their principal means of livelihood) numbered 9,07,165. This comprised 2,05,189 self-supporting persons; 1,90,724 earning dependents and 5,11,252 non-earning dependents. Following another basis of classification, the agricultural class comprised. (i) 7,96,371 cultivators of land wholly or mainly owned and their dependents, (ii) 22,646 cultivators of land wholly or mainly unowned and their dependents, (hi) 46,456 cultivating labourers and their dependents, and (iv) 41.692 non-cultivating owners of land, agricultural rent receivers and their dependents. Persons in the category of non-agricultural classes (i.e., those whose principal means of livelihood were pursuits other than agriculture), taken together stood at 2.68,144 and were composed of 69,746 self-supporting persons 27,688 earning dependents and 1,70,710 non-earning dependents. This class was also distributed as under: (i) Production other than cultivation 1,04.422; (ii) Commerce 42,923; (iii) transport 7,277 and (iv) other services and miscellaneous sources 1,13,522. There were several persons among the population who, in addition to their principal means of livelihood had a secondary occupation. Agriculture provided secondary occupation to 2,17,316 persons and non-agricultural pursuits to 64,550 persons.

Cultivated area.

Of the total area of nearly 26 lakh acres, cultivated area covered about 70 percent, or 18,08,100 acres and forests about 14 per cent, or 3,66,500 acres. The forests are situated in the west particularly in Mahabaleshwar, Wai and Jaoli talukas. The average rainfall for the district as a whole except Mahabaleshwar taluka is nearly 33", where as for Mahabaleshwar taluka, the average is about 260". However it varies from 20" in eastern part of Khandala peta, Man and Phaltan talukas to 125" in western parts of Jaoli, Wai, Patan and Satara talukas and Khandala peta. Agriculture in the district depends mainly on rainfall. In 1955-56, the total cropped area was 18,08,100 acres of which 1,89,100 acres or 10.5 per cent, were under irrigation. Irrigation by wells is more common in eastern and central parts of the district. Tanks and bandharas provide another source of irrigation. Among the major irrigation works in the district, Nira Right Bank Canal and Krishna Left Bank Canal deserve special mention. Canals irrigated 54.7 per cent, of the net area irrigated and wells 43.6 per cent. Canal irrigation in sugarcane tract of Phaltan taluka is well-known. The major perennial rivers that run through the district are Krishna and Koyna. It is only after the completion of Koyna Project that the waters of these rivers will be harnessed for enhancing irrigation facilities.

Soils of the district fall under three main categories, viz., medium black to deep black soils; malran or lighter soils and red or laterite soils. The broadest belt of the medium black soil along Krishna valley is best suited for garden crops. Lighter soils are well suited to the cultivation of bajra while red or laterite soils are used, for producing either rice through kumri cultivation or fruits requiring cold climate. The soils of the district are also divided into paddy zone (1,07,000 acres), jowar one (14,35,000 acres) and bajra zone (10,63,500 acres).

Food Crops.

The main food crops are sugarcane, jowar, bajra, rice and when among cereals; gram, matki, udid and tur among pulses; and fruits and vegetables. Food crops covered 12,92,200 acres or 71.4 per cent, of the total cropped area of 18,08,700 acres in 1956.57 Jowar covered an area of 4,97,500 acres (38.5 per cent.) [These are percentages to total area under food crops.] bajra 4,02,800 acres (31.2 per cent.), rice 57,400 acres (4.4 per cent), wheat 33,200 acres (2.6 per cent.), gram 44,100 acres (3.4 per cent.), tur, 20,500 acres (1.6 per cent), udid 26,900 acres (2.1 per cent), math 48,700 acres (3.8 per cent.), sugars 14,000 acres (little over one per cent.) and groundnut 1,42,400 acres (11 per cent.).

Non-food Crops.

Groundnut, safflower, chillies and cotton are the important non- food crops. In 19.56-57 groundnut commanded an area of 1,42,400 acres or 7.9 per cent, of the total cropped area; safflower 20,800 acres or 1.1 per cent.; chillies 6,100 acres or 0.3 per cent, and cotton 3,800 acres or 0.2 per cent. Groundnut and chillies are the important commodities of export.

Forests.

Major forest products are timber, firewood and charcoal while minor forest products are negligible. The value of major forest produce during 1957.58 amounted to Rs. 91,025.

Pressure of Population.

In 1956-57, the total area available for cultivation was 19,00,700 acres (including 2,03,900 acres under 'current and other fallows' and 18,800 acres under ' culturable waste') or 1.62 acres per head of the population (11,75,309) as against the net sown area of 16,78,000 acres or 1.43 acres per head.

Distribution of land.

Statistics of distribution of land are available for the year 1952.53 in respect of 13,96,180 acres (both khalsa and inam). The average size of holding for the district as a whole worked out to 7.41 acres. The bulk of the holders, viz., 1,15,284 or 68.18 per cent, belonged to the smallest magnitude group of less than five acres and held 2,67,583 acres or 19.17 per cent, of the total land, the average size of their holdings being 2.32 acres. There were 50,015 persons or 26.45 per cent of the total who accounted for 4,07,698 or 29.21 per cent, of land, the size of their holdings varying between five and fifteen acres. As against this, 9,471 persons or 5.02 per cent, of the total held 3,65,552 acres or 26.18 per cent, of the land, the size of their holdings varying between 25 acres and 100 acres. Persons belonging to the magnitude group of 15 acres to 25 acres formed only 6.97 per cent, of the total and held 2,62,716 acres or 18.81 per cent, of the land. Number of persons with the size of their holdings varying between 100 acres and 500 acres stood at 458 and held 60,806 acres of land whereas there were 27 persons with the size of their holdings exceeding 500 acres who held 31,825 acres of land. The customary laws of inheritance and succession lead to sub-divisions and fragmentations of holdings and thereby make cultivation uneconomic. The Bombay Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947, is being implemented to deal effectively with the situation.

Tenancy Legislation.

The Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, has been enacted to provide security of tenure to tenants. The Act has fixed the minimum rate of rent at one-third and one-fourth of the total crop -In the case of non-irrigated lands and irrigated lands, respectively. It also empowers the Government to fix rate of rent lower than minimum laid down under the Act. Recently the Act was amended in 1956. The main objective of the Government is to remove gradually all the intermediaries and make tiller of the soil the owner of the land. The Act provides for purchase of land by the tenant from the landlord under certain conditions. This Act is expected to bring about a more even distribution of land among cultivating owners.

Agricultural Tools.

The field tools and agricultural implements used generally by the cultivators continue to be of the old and indigenous type, though some progress is, however, made in the direction of use of improved type of ploughs and cane-crushers. Iron ploughs are slowly replacing indigenous wooden ones. In 1958-59, there were 47,281 ploughs 1,202 cane-crushers; 1,233 oil engines and 44 tractors in the district. Comparatively high costs of implements and absence of advance techniques of farming arc the two factors mainly responsible for sow switch-over to modern improved farm-tools and agricultural implements.

Live-stock.

The live-stock continues to be a valuable possession of the farm and holds an important place in the rural economy of the district. In 1956, there were 4,71,163 bullocks; 1,96,703 cows; 20,522 in buffaloes; 1,34,105 she-buffaloes; 2,10,694 sheep and 1,97,115 goats in the district. Poultry population of the district was 6,09,562 1956. Efforts to improve the quality of cattle and sheep as well to upgrade the poultry stock of the district arc being made through a number of cattle development, sheep development and poultry development schemes.

Wages.

Wages in rural areas are paid both in cash and in kind. The average wage rate for a male labourer was Rs. 1.25 per day in the district, though allowance must be made for minor variations between the rates of wages in rural and in urban areas. Females get on half of the wages paid to males. Wages paid to child labour all female labour are almost on par and vary between Re. 0.50 and Re. 0.75. However, skilled operations command high wages and ' Gulva' is paid Rs. 4 in Karad and Satara talukas (Rs. 2.50 in the remaining talukas), whereas ' Jalva' gets about Rs. 2.50 throughout the district.

Although failure of the monsoon causes near famine or scarcity conditions in the several talukas of the district, speedy and improved means of transport as well as State-aid have in recent years blunt the edge of these famines.

Industries.

During the last century, like the other districts in Maharashtra State, this district was industrially backward and had no mechanised industries except a few crafts like gold, copper, brass and black-smithy, carpentry, stone quarrying, pottery, gul making, leather works etc. Of these gul making was a major industry. No machine propelled factory came into existence till 1916. During the inter-war period seven new factories, one groundnut decorticating, one sugar manufacturing, two electricity generating and three printing press were started in the district. A few other factories like edible oil, copper and brass rolling mill, etc., were established after 1947. The total employment in all the industries in the district in 1951 stood at 67,289. In 1959, sugar-manufacturing, gul manufacturing, glass manufacturing, edible oil, electricity generating factories, general engineering were the industries existing in the district. Of these, sugar manufacturing, gul making and glass manufacturing were the major industries which employed nearly 4,500 persons. The total employment in all concerns registered under the Factories Act was about 8,000.

Among the cottage industries, cotton weaving, carpentry, black-smithy, copper-smithy, basket making, pottery, leather works and tanning may be mentioned as important ones. These are found in almost all big villages. Cotton weaving employed about 4,000 artisans. These industries have been in existence for a long time and are carried on in traditional ways.

Trade.

According to the census of 1951, the various trades in the district. Wholesale and retail, money-lending, banking and other financial business, real estate and insurance, provided the principal means of livelihood to 42,923 persons or 3.7 per cent, of the population and a subsidiary means of livelihood to 7,145 persons. Excluding dependents, the self-supporting persons engaged in these trades numbered 10,723. Of these, 4,396 were in rural areas and 6,327 in urban areas. Retail trade provided employment to 9,053 persons; money-lending, banking, etc., to 731 persons; wholesale trade to 891 persons; insurance to 45 persons and real estate to 3 persons.

Satara being an inland district, its traders do not generally engage themselves in direct foreign imports or exports. Naturally the trade caters to the needs of its own population and is generally confined to goods locally produced or imported for local consumption. Besides, a few traders engage themselves in a small volume of re-export trade.

Retail and wholesale trade in food-stuffs provided employment (in 1951) to 5,207 persons or 48.6 per cent, of the total of 10,723 self-supporting persons employed in all trades. Persons engaged in wholesale trade in commodities other than food-stuffs amounted to 724. Retail trade in textile and leather goods engaged 1,306 persons (12.2 per cent.), retail trade in fuel (including petrol), 421 persons (3.9 per cent.); money-lending, banking, etc., 731 persons (6.8 per cent.); and retail trade otherwise unclassified 2,286 persons (21.3 per cent.). This pattern of trade clearly brings out the predominantly agricultural character of the district.

The chief articles of import included mainly, among others, grocery, grains, cloth, building materials and medicines. The bulk of imports flows into the district from Bombay, Mahad, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sholapur, Malabar, Madras, Nasik, Dandeli, Karwar, Ahmedabad, Calcutta and Nagpur.

Among the important articles of export may be mentioned gul, jowar, coriander, groundnut, groundnut oil, turmeric, chillies, onion and garlic. Of these, groundnut assumes an overwhelming importance as an article of export, its turnover being approximately 4,67,391 B. Mds., valued at Rs. 77,15,031. The largest turnover of groundnut is to be found at Karad. The district also exports gul in appreciably large quantities. The production of gul in 1957, amounted roughly to 8,94,684 B. Mds., valued at Bs. 1,34,20,260. The clue centres of gul trade are Karad, Satara, Koregaon, Phaltan am Rahimatpur. The turnover of turmeric trade in 1958-59, was about 1,00,785 B. Mds., valued at Bs. 25 lakhs. The centres of turmeric trade are Karad, Masur, Wai, Umbraj and Satara. Onion is also of great commercial importance, its annual turnover being. 3,85,000 B. Mds. valued at Rs. 12,38,000. Lonand is the biggest centre of onion trade.

Wholesale trade is concentrated at a few centres such as Karad, Koregaon, Satara, Lonand, Wai, Phaltan and Malharpeth. Regulated markets are to be found at Satara, Karad, Koregaon and Phaltan, whereas sub-market yards exist at Umbraj, Masur, Malharpeth, Kole, Waduth, Wai, Surur, Rahimatpur and Lonand. The regulated markets and sub-markets practically serve the whole district except Khatav and Mahabaleshwar talukas and Man peta. There is one co-operative purchase and sales society each at Karad, Phaltan and Satara and one multi-purpose society each at Koregaon and Satara.

The number of shops (registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1946), functioning in rural areas, was 155 in March 1957. Of these about two-thirds or 109 represented dealers in food-stuffs having a total turnover of Rs. 2,63,00,000. The number of shops (registered under the Sales Tax Act, 1946), functioning in urban areas, i.e., towns, was 619, having a gross turnover of the order of Rs. 23,02,76,000 in March, 1957.

Since the beginning of the present century, considerable changes in the pattern and volume of trade, have taken place in as much as co-operative organisations, institutional agencies like the regulated markets and various Governmental regulations are all trying to develop and to channelise the trade on sound and healthy lines and to give an impetus to it. Co-operative institutions have been formed mostly in areas served by regulated markets.

Finance.

Since the publication of Old Satara Gazetteer in 1885, numerous changes have taken place in the field of finance as in many other fields. The Old Gazetteer mentions that 'there were no regular bankers in the district. Deposits used to be made with certain bankers or savkars of high reputation, who are said to have given interest up to three per cent, a year." Banking operations were performed by money-lenders and a few rich persons belonging to trading and business communities. Bills of exchange were discounted in the district. The amount of bills varied between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 7,000 and were cashed by a few firms having capital over one lakh of rupees. Insurance of any kind was not in vogue. There were a few joint stock companies in which well-to-do Government Officials and members of the rich communities used to invest. Almost all sections of the community were habituated to save though in varying degrees, depending upon their capacity to save. However, major portion of their savings used to be squandered over family and religious celebrations. Land was perhaps the favourite investment with all classes possessed of a substantial surplus, except the exclusively trading class, which preferred extending its own business to any new form of investment. Investment in Government securities and saving bank deposits together amounted to Rs. 66,280 in 1882-83. Money-lending was practised in different degrees by members of almost every class. A few of them had large capital and combined money-lending with trade as their chief calling. Secured loans carried a rate of interest varying between six and twelve per cent. The normal rate of interest was around eighteen per cent., though a husbandman of scanty means had to pay, on unsecured loans, anything between 24 per cent, to 37½ per cent.

In the course of last 75 years, the pattern and volume of trade as well as the requirements of agricultural and non-agricultural classes have undergone radical changes necessitating an expansion in the agencies employed in financial operations. The co-operative credit societies occupy the place of pride in the financial organisation in the district. At present there are five types of these societies functioning in the district, viz., (1) Agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies, (2) Multi-purpose Societies, (3) Land Mortgage Bank, (4) Non-agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies and (5) The Central Financing Agencies. All of them except non-agricultural cooperative credit societies, cater to the multifarious needs of the agricultural classes.

The co-operative movement commenced in the district with the establishment of the first Agricultural Credit Society at Bodhe in Man taluka which was registered in 1907. In 1960, there were; 576 agricultural credit societies with a total membership of 65,790. These societies included multi-purpose societies which came into being as a result of conversion of agricultural credit societies or village primaries as they are often called. They had share capital of Rs; 30,74,542 and working capital of Rs. 1,02,31,901 in 1958-59.

The loans advanced by them to members amounted to Rs. 65,99,367. Non-agricultural Co-operative Credit Societies numbered 42 in 1968-59, had a membership of 16,056; share capital of Rs. 17,19,527 and working capital of Rs. 90,28,719. The deposits with them of members, non-members and societies aggregated Rs. 56,62,195, while they had advanced loans to the tune of Rs. 1,37,22,018. Satara District. Land Mortgage Bank Limited, Karad was the only land mortage bank, catering to the long term requirements of the whole district. It had share capital of Rs. 1,79,270 and working capital of Rs. 29,33,055. The loans advanced by them amounted to Rs. 9,71,000 in 1958-59.

The Satara District Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Satara (registered in 1951) and Shri Laxmi Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Phaltan, arc the two central financing agencies. The former operated throughout the district except in Phaltan taluka and had seven branches. The latter confined its operations only to Phaltan taluka. These two taken together had a membership of 3,011 individuals and 692 societies; paid-up share capital of Rs. 10,51,970; working capital of Rs 1,46,42,484. Loans advanced by it to individual members and societies amounted to Rs. 15,08,076 and Rs. 71,09,298 respectively, as against the deposits of Rs. 1,03,81,779. Their borrowings from various sources amounted to Rs. 23,60,604.

In spite of this phenomenal advance in the field of co-operation money-lenders still continue to hold the key place in the financial structure of the district. During 1957-58, there were 198 money lenders licensed and registered under the Bombay Money Lender Act (XXXI of 1946), which aims at controlling and regulating their activities. Of these 43 or nearly 20 per cent, functioned in Karad taluka. The loans granted by them to traders and non-traders in 1955-56, amounted to Rs. 17.50 lakhs.

Joint-stock banks come next. Satara Swadeshi Commercial Bank Limited, was the first bank established in the district in 1907. Since then gradual development is taking place in the sphere of banking At present (1960), there are 14 joint-stock banks of which eight are branch offices of the banks having their registered offices outside the district. The State Bank of India has got three branches in the district, one each at Karad, Phaltan and Satara. All these banks, besides providing usual banking facilities, also undertake financing of trade and agriculture and provide facilities for the storage and movement of agricultural produce. The State Bank of India also acts as an Agent of the Reserve Bank of India for conducting Governmental business and affords remittance and exchange facilities to local banks and the public.

Of late Government have liberalised their policy of advancing loans to agriculturists with a view to stepping up agricultural production. In 1957-58, the amount outstanding as tagai was of the order of Rs. 12 lakhs. The scheme of crop finance which is made available through co-operative societies and which aims at financing at reasonable rate of interest, agricultural operations connected with raising of crops, is also in operation in the district. The loan granted under the system of crop finance aggregated Rs. 4.3 lakhs in 1955-56. There are various small savings schemes operating in the district. State-aid to small scale and cottage industries is extended through the Department of Industrial Co-operatives and Village Industries but the amounts advanced so far are negligible. Insurance business also registered a slow but satisfactory progress in the recent past.

The habit of depositing savings with co-operative societies and joint-stock banks is steadily gaining ground. Whereas in 1882-83 savings bank deposits amounted to Rs. 66,280, in 1957-58, they stood at nearly Rs. 54 lakhs. In addition, an amount of Rs. 13.7 lakhs was invested in National Savings Certificates. Apart from the deposits of Rs. 80,54,523 in joint-stock banks, people in the district also invested their money in joint-stock companies and in Government securities.

Transport.

Considerable improvement has taken place in the transport system of the district during the last 75 years. Railway construction was undertaken in the district in January 1884 and the system of railway now running through the district was completed in 1887. The Poona-Bangalore metre gauge railway line of the Southern Railway passes north to south through this district. The railway route enters Satara district at mile No. 48, i.e., after Nira Railway Station. Throughout its length of 74 miles, it passes through the various centres of trade and commerce while traversing Phaltan, Khandala, Koregaon and Karad talukas. Mention must be made of Lonand, Koregaon, Rahimatpur and Karad as the commercially important stations on this line. According to 1951 census, the Railways provided employment to 388 persons.

The road system has also developed a good deal and the district has now a network of several well built roads. Poona-Bangalore National Highway passes through the district covering a distance of 80 miles and five furlongs. Five State Highways pass through the district, viz., (1) Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar-Surul Road (Length 37 miles), (2) Guhagar-Chiplun-Karad-Bijapur-Hyderabad Road (Length 47 miles and 2 furlongs), (3) Satara-Pandharpur Road (Length 61 miles and 3 furlongs), (4) Pingali-Mayani-Tasgaon Road (Length 17 miles and 4 furlongs), (5) Mhapral-Mahad-Lonand-Phaltan-Pandharpur Road (Length 53 miles and six furlongs). The total road mileage of Other District Roads was 541 miles and four furlongs, according to the Index Statement of Road Planning (1956-57). In important centres are to be found resting places like district bungalows, travellers' bungalows, rest houses and dharmashalas.

In the matter of posts and telegraphs, the district is well-served. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department maintains a Postal Division at Satara. Besides the chief receiving and distributing head office at Satara, there are 28 sub-post offices and 214 branch offices spread over all the talukas of the district. There are in all 28 telegraph offices functioning throughout the district.

With the advent of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation convenience and amenities to passengers have increased. It was in pursuance of the general policy of nationalisation of road transport that the corporation was formed. State transport operations in Satara district fall within the jurisdiction of Poona and Kolhapur divisions. The nationalisation of road transport services in Poona and Kolhapur divisions, was started in June 1948 and August 1949, respectively. There are 90 routes passing through this district; sonic of them either starting from or terminating in the district. The depots or sub-depots of the Corporation are located at Karad, Koregaon, Mahabaleshwar, Satara and Wai.

The district also possesses over 90 radio sets installed under the Rural Broadcasting Contributory Scheme of the Government.

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