AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CONDIMENTS AND SPICES

CONDIMENTS AND SPICES hardly occupied two per cent, of total gross cropped area in Kolhapur district in 1955-56. The following table shows talukawise acreage under these crops:-

TABLE No. 22.

AREA IN ACRES UNDER CONDIMENTS AND SPICES IN EACH TALUKA OF KOLHAPUR DISTRICT IN 1955-56.

Mirchi.

Mirchi (chilly) occupied (1955-56) first place amongst the spice crops grown in the district, and is also an important cash crop of the district next, of course, to sugarcane, tobacco and ground nut. Though it is grown throughout the district, concentrated cultivation is to be found only in the talukas of Kagal, Hatkanangle, Gadhinglaj and Shirol. Seedlings are raised in seedbeds by the end of May and are transplanted after about a month i.e., in June. The distance between the two rows and between the two plants varies from two to three feet, depending on the quality of the soil. The plant begins to bear fruit after about two months. The irrigated crop lasts longer than the unirrigated crop. Though chillies are grown to a large extent as an entire crop, in parts of Kagal, Gadhinglaj, Hatkanangle and Shirol talukas it is also taken with cotton as a mixed crop. In the month of August the cotton seed is dibbled in between every two plants of chilly. Only one variety, namely, Sankeswari is grown throughout the district.

Chillies form part of the people's daily food. It is the chief element used in curries and most other dishes. They are extensively used in chutneys and pickles. They also have some medicinal value.

Halad.

Halad (turmeric) is grown mainly in Hatkanangle taluka and the cropped area in the taluka occupied more than seventy-five per cent, of the total area under this crop in the district in 1955-56. In the talukas of Shirol, Gandhinglaj, Kagal, Karvir and Panhala and in certain other villages it is grown on a small scale. It is planted in the month of May before monsoon sets in, on both the sides of the furrows about 2 feet apart and is harvested in December-January. It is manured with farm yard manure at the rate of about 30 to 40 cart loads per acre. Turmeric rhizomes are universally used as a condiment, being the chief constituent of curry powder.

Kothimbir.

Kothimber (coriander) is grown in the district as a garden crop in small quantities throughout the year. In 1955-56 its cultivation was concentrated in Gadhinglaj and Hatkanangle talukas. It is cultivated both for the sake of its seed and for its green leaves. The leaves are ready for use in about three weeks' time and the seed in about two months' time. The leaves and tender stems are used as a vegetable and also for flavouring many dishes. The coriander seed is a condiment and also contains some medicinal properties.

Lasun.

Lasun (garlic) is grown throughout the district in small areas. Its cultivation is, however concentrated in Gadhinglaj, Hatkanangle and Shirol talukas. It is grown as a side crop of onion. It is planted in November and harvested in February-March. It is extensively used as a condiment or as a spice in chutneys, in seasoning vegetables and in curries. It also possesses certain medicinal properties.

Miscellaneous.

The other condiments and spices grown in the district are methi (fenugreek), ova (ajwanseed), badishep (sweet-fennel), and shepu (fennel). They are grown on a very small scale. Most of these crops are taken as side crops e.g., of groundnut.

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