AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

SUGARCANE.

The area under sugarcane crop has expanded considerably during recent times. It has increased from 523 acres in 1957-58 to 1,180 acres in 1965-66. Of the five tahsils of the district sugarcane is mostly grown in Pusad, Darwha and Kelapur tahsils. Of these three sugarcane producing tahsils, Pusad stands first, hi 1965-66 with 741 acres under sugarcane, Pusad tahsil alone occupied about 63 per cent of the total area under this crop. The following table gives tahsil-wise acreage and outturn of sugarcane in the district from 1957-58 to 1965-66.

The crop can be grown on various types of soils ranging from lighter to heavier ones. In the district, however, it is grown on medium, well drained and black deep soils. The factor influencing its cultivation is the availability of ample supply of water as the crop is entirely an irrigated crop. The land is first brought to fine tilth by ploughing and harrowing. It is then divided into suitable furrows so as to facilitate irrigation. Water is let into the furrows and when the soil is wet, sets from selected ripe sugarcane stumps are put in with proper spacing and pressed. The planting is usually done in January-February. The crop takes about twelve months for harvesting and requires intensive efforts. Heavy doses of green manures as well as chemical fertilisers are essential. At the time of harvesting sugarcane is cut close to the ground and carted to the crushing yard.

TABLE No. 18

AREA AND OUTTURN OF SUGARCANE (TAHSIL-WISE) IN YEOTMAL DISTRICT FROM 1957-58 TO 1965-66

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