AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CONDIMENTS AND SPICES

Chillis.

Chillis, turmeric and coriander are the principal condiments and spices grown in the district. The table given at the end of this section shows the details of area under different condiments and spices including the minor ones.

Among the condiments and spices grown in the district, chillis occupy the foremost position and were grown on an area of 6,895 acres in 1965-66, the corresponding figure for 1963-64 being 8,119 acres. It is grown throughout the district both as an irrigated and dry or rainfed crop and thrives well in medium and heavy types of soils. Being a cash crop the agriculturists take much care in its cultivation. The seed is first sown in the hot weather in carefully prepared and watered nurseries. On the night previous to the uprooting of the seedlings for transplantation the nurseries have to be necessarily watered so that the tender seedlings may not be damaged. In June or even later when the seedlings attain a height of six to nine inches they are transplanted in the main field. Generally transplantation is done during the Ardra Nakshatra when it just drizzles and does not rain heavily. Prior to transplantation the land is well tilled by harrowing and ploughing, three to four bakharings being given immediately on the commencement of the rainy season. The soil is also given a dose of 10 to 15 cartloads of farmyard manure. Chemical fertilisers are also applied both at the time of transplantation and during the growing period. Later the soil has to be frequently stirred by means of dauras in order to loosen it. Weedings are most essential if the crop is to prosper.

Harvesting of green chillis starts from the last week of September onwards and that of red or ripened ones from October onwards. About six to eight pluckings are done. The yield is about 600 lbs. of dry chillis of rainfed crops and nearly a thousand pounds of irrigated crops. Pandhurna and Bhiwapuri are the chief varieties grown.

Turmeric.

Turmeric or Halad stands next in importance to chillis and covered an area of only 136 acres in 1965-66, Hinganghat tahsil alone occupying 134 acres. It was formerly chiefly grown in Waigaon village of Hinganghat tahsil which on that account came to be known as Haldia Waigaon. The crop requires medium to heavy and well drained soil. Intensive ploughing, pulverising and manuring are of prime importance to the crop. The land is furrowed and the rhizomes are planted in the month of June and harvested by January-February.

Coriander.

Coriander covered an area of 110 acres in 1965-66. It thrives well in black clayey and red loamy soils and is grown both for its seed, dhane, and green leaves, kothimbir. The green leaves are used as a vegetable and for this purpose it can be sown at any time of the year depending on the availability of irrigation facilities. But when it is raised purely for seed it has to be sown in September-October. The soil is prepared in the same way as is done for jowar with which it is grown. Harvesting is done in December-January. When ripe, the plants are uprooted, taken to the threshing floor, dried in the hot sun and beaten with a stick. For the most part coriander is grown for its seed and to a very small extent for vegetable. It is used for flavouring many dishes. Besides, garlic, fenugreek and other condiments and spices are also grown but the area under these is negligible and hence does not require any detailed description.

TABLE No 15.

TAHSIL-WISE AREA [Area in acres] UNDER CONDIMENTS AND SPICES, 1957-58 to 1965-66.

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