ECONOMIC TRENDS

AGRARIAN ECONOMY

Yeotmal is a predominantly agricultural district since the remote past. Economic progress has always meant some progress in the agricultural sector. In fact economic progress was never perceptible enough to be measured in terms of economic variables even up to the dawn of Independence. The district economy is characterised by an imbalance between agriculture and industries in so far as the bulk of the working population, about. 85 per cent, is engaged in agriculture, while organised industries account for a very small percentage of the total workers. The percentage of agricultural population is as high as 90 in the rural areas which are practically devoid of any mechanised industries.

Paradoxically, however, this predominantly agricultural district was much less efficient in agriculture than the neighbouring districts of Amravati and Akola. This could be attributed to the fact that the soil in this district was not very fertile and that the aids to progressive agriculture were virtually non-existent. The situation has however changed perceptibly during the last  few years of economic planning. The agrarian economy has assumed a very progressive character due to the bold and imaginative policy of agrarian reforms followed by the Government of Maharashtra under the guidance or Shri V. P. Naik, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, who hails from this district.  

The sectorial trends based on certain indicator  of development will substantiate the above observation. During 1961-62. the district ranked fourth in Vidarbha and seventh in the State as far as the percentage of area sown more than once to net area sown was concerned. This percentage was 0.72 in 1960-61, 0.79 in 1961-62, 0.84 in 1962-63 and 0.90 in 1964-65 for the district Kelapur and Wani tahsils had always a higher percentage than that for the district. [Socio-Economic Review and District Statistical Abstract. Yeotmal District, 1965-66.]

The pattern of land utilization which throws an important light on the structural aspects of the agrarian economy of the district showed a very favourable trend over the period between 1961 and 1965. It is noteworthy that the culturable waste land declined from 32,975 hectares in 1961-62 to 30,274 hectares in 1964-65; similarly the current fallows and other fallow lands together decreased from 86,387 hectares in 1961-62 to 70,892 hectares in 1964-65. Obviously these lands have been put to cultivation. It is also indicative of the fact that more and mote lands can be brought under extensive cultivation in the future. This aspect is extremely important in the context of increasing agricultural production. It is also remarkable that the net area sown in the district increased from 7,47,797 hectares in 1961-62 to 7,72,750 hectares in 1964-65; likewise the area sown more than once registered an increase from 5,908 hectares in 1961-62 to 6,965 hectares in 1964-65 [Socio-Economic Revieiw and District Statistical Abstract, Yeotmal District, 1965-66.].

The trend in the pattern of crops has been uneven over the period from 1957-58 to 1965-66 [Based on the statistics collected from the Statistician, Agriculture Department, Maharashtra State, Poona.]. The area under rice increased throughout the period, viz., 23,638 acres in 1957-58; 24,223 acres in 1959-60; 27,213 acres in 1961-62; 28,337 acres in 1963-64 and 29,773 acres in 1965-66. The acreage under jowar showed a decrease: 6,60,852 in 1957-58; 6,31,918 in 1959-60; 6,32,883 in 1961-62, 6,44,050 in 1963-64 and 5,72,606 in 1965-66. Similarly the acreage under wheat showed a declining trend from 1961-62; 46,154 in 1957-58; 70,096 in 1959-60; 58,770 in 1961-62; 52,788 in 1963-64; and 35,675 in 1965-66. The probable reason for the decline in area under jowar and wheat might be the comparative unprofitability of these crops. During the same period the area under cotton registered a definite increase, as given below: 6,96,698 acres in 1957-58; 6,97,152 acres in 1959-60; 7,62,077 acres in 1961-62; 8,09,228 acres in 1963-64 and 8,14,925 in 1965-66.

The increase in cotton cultivation might be due to its higher profitability as compared to jowar and wheat.

The trend of the outturn of cereal crops was uneven during the same period. The total outturn of cereals was 1,48,842 tons in 1957-58; 69,897 tons in 1959-60; 84,636 tons in 1961-62 and. 1,23,227 tons in 1963-64. The total outturn of cotton in the district was 34,807 bales in 1959-60; 1,87,525 bales in 1961-62 and 3,97,555 bales in 1963-64.

During 1960-61 agricultural production was quite satisfactory in respect of most of the crops in the district. Though the relevant statistics are not available it is known that agricultural productivity has assumed great dimens ons since 1965-66. The progressive policies of the State Government are instrumental, in re-orientation of the farmer's outlook towards farming practices. The cultivators are imbued with a new sprit for adopting improved practices. The hybrid seed programme which has developed into a momentous hybrid movement has brought about excellent results. The hybrid jowar and bajra crops which are nearly three times productive as compared to the ordinary seed crops have gained good ground in the district as elsewhere in Vidharbha and Khandesh region. The production potentiality has multipled to a very great extent. Government encouragement for the cultivation of H-4, L/I47, 1007 and AK 35 varieties of cotton paid good dividends, to the agriculturists. The improved varieties of wheat suitable for even, adverse climatic conditions have become very much popular in the district [There are seed multiplication and production farms of Belkhed. Warud, Darwha. Sonwadhona, Nandura, Kalamb, Karegaon, Ghatanji, Pandharkawda and Nimbala.]. 

In the nature of things the hybrid movement coupled with other agricultural inputs will make headway towards agricultural prosperity. It is also certain that the growing demand for increased supply of foodgrains will recede into the background with the growth of this prosperity. This will also help to raise the standard of living of the rural masses.

Crop Pattern.

Food crops occupied 53 per cent of the gross cropped area in 1961-62 which declined by one per cent in 1964-65. This denotes a general tendency on the part of cultivators to bring more land under cash crops like cotton. During 1964-65 jowar crop accounted for 40 per cent of the gross cropped area, cotton 43 per cent, tur six per cent and oil-seeds four per cent.

The present pattern of crops is influenced by the dependence of cultivation on rainfall which is deficient and unevenly distributed. Wells are the main source of irrigation accounting for about 95 per cent of the total irrigated area. There are about 10,000 wells in the district.

In the nature of things well irrigation encourages cultivation of high value, crops, such as, sugarcane, fruits, and wheat. The unit cost of well irrigation is higher than that of canal irrigation. Hence the emphasis on high value crops like, fruits, sugarcane and wheat. Fruit crops have gained some ground in Pusad and Kelapur tahsils. There is also a marked tendency towards cultivation of hybrid varieties. The hybrid jowar crop has become quite popular.

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