AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

LIVE-STOCK

LIVE-STOCK HAS AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN AGRICULTURE. Though much progress has been made in this district in the use of machine power for ploughing, water-lifting, sugarcane crushing etc., live-stock continues to have its own value. Cattle labour represents probably the most important contribution of livestock to agriculture. A pair of bullocks for draught, a cow or buffalo for milk, draught and manure and, in addition, a few sheep, goats and poultry are quite common to be found with a large number of farmers' of the district. Further, in rural areas a farmer's status is judged by the number of cattle he maintains. In fact no farmer can do farming economically without the and of livestock.

Given below are the results of the live-stock census conducted in 1951 and 1956 by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Bombay:-

TABLE NO. 28.

BOVINE POPULATION IN KOLHAPUR DISTRICT, 1951 AND 1956.

The total bovine population of the district in 1956 was 5,11,199. Besides these animals, the census enumerates 86,884 sheep, 1,14,370 goats, 1,014 horses and ponies, 1,388 pigs, 481 donkeys, six camels and four mules. Though these animals do not necessarily work on farm, yet they are useful to the farmer in a number of ways and are, therefore, included in agricultural live-stock. The total number of animals, constituting agricultural live-stock, returned at the 1956 census was, therefore, 7,15,345.

Owing to changes consequent upon the formation of Kolhapur district in 1948, it is not possible to assess correctly the trends underlying, and the changes in the composition of, live-stock population in the district. In the table above are also set out the figures for the bovine population returned at the 1951 census. The variation of population recorded in the quinquennium ending 1956 hardly exceeds two per cent. And when marginal errors are taken into account one might have to concede that the cattle population, which constitutes the bulk of livestock, has remained stationary. Whatever variation is observed, it is mainly due to considerable increase in young stock (less than a year old), as shown below:-

TABLE No. 29.

 DISTRIBUTION OF LIVE-STOCK IN KOLHAPUR DISTRICT (TALUKAWISE), 1956.

TABLE No. 29-contd.

TABLE No. 29-contd.

It will be seen that the number of bovines is more in the eastern divisions. The Karvir taluka comprising mostly of plains, records the highest number while in the taluka of Ajara, having hilly topography, the lowest number has been returned.

Plough Cattle.

Though much headway has been made in the use of mechanical implements like electric pumps, oil engines, tractors, sugarcane crushers etc., bullocks and he-buffaloes still occupy an important place in rural transportation and agricultural operations. The total number of plough cattle was reported as 1,66,612 heads in 1956.

Considering the periods of work in the district (such as ploughing, sowing, threshing, sugarcane crushing), shortage of draft-cattle is much felt during such periods. During off-season, however, there is not sufficient work. Again, certain farm operations overlap one another; the threshing of kharif crops, sowing of rabi crops, crushing sugarcane, casting farmyard manure and lifting water for planting and irrigating cane, crowd together. During off-season, however, there is not sufficient work. As lifting water is a steady and continuous process from about October to June and animals, meant for mot work are not available for harrowing or ploughing.

It will also be observed that there are comparatively more he-buffaloes in the western hilly tract comprising mainly Shahuwadi, Radhanagari, Bhudargad and Panhala talukas. This appears to be due to the use of small buffaloes for puddling rice lands and ploughing nagli lands. [ Regional Survey of Resources, India, Kolhapur, Dr. P. C. Patil, p. 150 (1950).]

Milch Cattle.

Cows and buffaloes are kept mainly for purposes of breeding and milk production. Out of the total number of 1,95,595 milch cattle, 1,23,929 i.e. about 63 per cent, were reported to be in milk in 1956. Out of the rest, only 579 females were working on farms. She-buffaloes are more popular in the district because of their higher milk yield than cows. Cows are reared by the farmers mainly for the male progeny for draught. Geography of the district also influences milk yield. In the eastern region, comprising the talukas of Shirol, Hatkanangle, Karvir, Kagal and Gadhinglaj, which is fairly free from mosquitoes and flies in wet season, the annual yield of milk per cattle head is much higher than in the rainy and hilly western region where the cattle are very much afflicted by flies and mosquitoes during the wet season.

Breeds of Cattle.

The important breeds of cows and bullocks observed in this district are Khillar, Krishna valley, Dangi and Jawari (local).

Khillar.

Khillar: The animals of this breed are mostly located in the eastern zone, Shirol taluka in particular. Khillar is a very hardy animal and its capacity for heavy field and transport work is remarkable. It pulls on well under prolonged drought condition These qualities have made this breed popular in the district. Its milk yield, however, is quite low; though efforts are being made to increase it.

Height 4½ to 5½ feet.

Weight 800 to 1,000 lbs.

Krishna Valley.

Krishna Valley: The origin of the breed is found along the banks of the Krishna river. The animals are of heavy draught type. This is a dual purpose breed and has potentialities of good milk yield. The animals are, however, slow for field work. This breed is gradually disappearing because of the increasing popularity of the Khillar animals.

Height 4½ to 5½ feet.

Weight 1,200 to 1,400 lbs.

Dangi.

Dangi: The animals of this breed are found in the heavy rainfall areas of the west. The animals are extremely hardy and stand up well to the heavy rainfall. They are not affected by working continuously under wet conditions. This is a dual purpose breed.

Height 4 to 4½ feet.

Weight 700 to 850 lbs.

Jawari.

Jawari (local): These animals are observed with most of the cultivators in the district. These are small sized animals of a mixed and non-descript origin and, therefore have different colours.

The breeds of buffaloes found in the district are the Pandharpuri and Jawari, the local one.

The animals of Pandharpuri breed are medium sized and are found commonly in the eastern and central portions of the district which have light and medium rainfall respectively. These animals yield much more milk than the animals of the local breed (Jawari) and at the same time are very economical to maintain. The animals of the local breed are small sized and are commonly used for agricultural purposes in the heavy rainfall areas, though they are scattered all over the district.

Horses.

Horses, mules, and asses, though classed as agricultural live-stock are not actually used for agricultural operations. They are mainly used for drawing conveyance, for transport work and as pack animals in the western parts.

Sheep and Goats.

Kolhapur district has the largest number of sheep and goats of the Deccani type. These animals are supposed to be valuable assets to the dhangar community who mainly rear them for wool, hair, skin and mutton. Goats constitute an important source of milk supply to the poor cultivators. Most of the sheep flocks are found in the eastern hilly tract where rainfall is less and grazing facilities are abundant. These flocks of sheep move from one area to another during the rainy season, especially towards the eastern side where grazing facilities are abundant and cost of maintenance low.

Poultry.

Poultry-keeping has now developed into an important cottage or subsidiary industry in rural areas. According to 1956 census, the poultry population was 3,38,544 out of which 3,37,893 were fowls (hens, cocks and chickens). Nearly thirty per cent of the fowls are to be found in the talukas of Karvir and Shahu-wadi. Eggs, fowls and ducks are considered to be a valuable non-vegetarian food.

sources of supply.

Kolhapur district is mainly an importer of live-stock, particularly of the pure breeds of cattle like Khillar bulls and bullocks, and Pandharpuri she-buffaloes. The animals of pure Khillar breed are brought mainly from cattle fairs held annually at Karagani and Kharsundi in South Satara district and from the Khillar cattle shows and fairs in Sholapur district. The Deshi Khillar animals come mainly from Chinchali cattle fair in Belgaum district. Kurundwad, which is situated along the banks of the Krishna and the Panchganga, is an important source of supply of Krishna Valley breed and is famous for its cattle fairs. Animals of mixed breed are sold in the weekly bazars at Vadgaon, Ichalkaranji, Murgud and Gadhinglaj.

Products.

Milk occupies a dominant place among live-stock products, Kolhapur city and other towns being the ready markets. It is a practice with young people, particularly gymnasts in Kolhapur city to visit early in the morning Gangavesh (for buying milk) where she-buffaloes are milked by the owners on the spot in front of the customers. When milk cannot be easily transported for liquid consumption, it is converted into milk products like butter, ghee, khowa etc. Climatic conditions and the crop pattern followed in the district are very suitable for developing good milch strains. In fact, the riverine areas provide ample facilities for dairy farming and yet the dairy industry in the district is in backward condition.

TABLE No. 30.

THE AVERAGE ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF LIVE-STOCK AND ITS VALUE, IN KOLHAPUR DISTRICT.

Prices.

The following were the live-stock prices current in 1958-59: -

LIVE-STOCK PRICES IN KOLHAPUR DISTRICT, 1958-59.

* Price is dependent on the age of the animal.

FODDER SUPPLY.

THE DISTRICT IS SELF-SUFFICIENT in the matter of fodder supply. The main sources of fodder are the grazing areas or kurans along the banks of the rivers. Quality grass is also grown in these kurans. It is cut, tied into bundles and sold in the market. The fodder from the crops of jowar, bajri, rice and hill millets is also fed to the cattle and is sufficient to meet local requirements.

Health Conditions.

Generally, the working bullocks and milch cattle (cow and buffaloes) keep good health in view of better care taken by the owners. Dry and useless animals are maintained only on grazing and the little fodder spared by the owner; naturally, their health is poor. Horses are maintained on good rations and hence enjoy good health. Poultry in general is maintained on free grazing and is, therefore, always in good health.

Breeding, veterinary and Husbandry Facilities.

There is no live-stock farm in the district. To improve the local jawari breed, breeding bulls of Khillar and Dangi breeds have been located in selected areas of light and heavy rainfall tracts respectively. An artificial insemination centre has been established at Kolhapur where breeding work is being carried out on cows and she-buffaloes. Veterinary aid is available from the veterinary dispensaries opened at each taluka headquarters. They are in the charge of veterinary officers. Veterinary dispensaries at different centers opened in the talukas are in the charge of stockmen.

Cattle Improvement.

The Government schemes that were in operation (in 1958) for cattle improvement were regarding (i) location of breeding bulls; (ii) Goshala development; and (iii) poultry improvement.

Location of breeding bulls is done under the following schemes:-

(i) Half cost scheme.-Under this scheme, a farmer-cum-breeder is selected and issued a breeding bull by granting a subsidy of Rs. 350 or half of the actual cost of the breeding bull, whichever is less. No maintenance charges are paid to the owner of the breeding bull. The bull is to be maintained by the farmer in good breeding condition for a period of three years from the date of issue. His services are to be utilized by the villagers for improving their cattle.

(ii) District maintenance charges scheme.-The farmer-cum-breeder has to purchase the breeding bull at his own cost with the approval of the Department of Agriculture. The bull is then paid a maintenance charge of Rs. 12 per month for a period of three years from the date of issue. The owner is expected to maintain the bull in good breeding condition and make available his services for improving village cattle.

(iii) Personal ledger account (P. L. A.) Scheme.-The breeder is granted a loan to the extent of Rs. 300 per bull from the personal ledger account of the Cattle Development Officer, Poona. The loan (at 4½ per cent. interest) is repayable within three years in six equal six monthly instalments. The breeder is also given Rs. 12 as maintenance subsidy for a period of three years, but the maintenance charges are credited to the account of repayment of loans.

(iv) District Live-stock Advance Fund.-The scheme is almost similar to the above except that the loan is paid from the funds kept at the disposal of the Collector of Kolhapur.

The Goshala Development Scheme provided that a foundation stock of ten breeding cows and one breeding bull at Government cost was to be supplied to a selected Goshala or Panjrapole. The goshala or panjrapole should also purchase an equal number of breeding stock at its own cost. The goshala was to carry out breeding work of this foundation stock for a period of five years. The goshala was given an annual grant-in-aid of Rs. 2,000 per year by Government. The Shahupuri Panjarpol Sanstha was selected for implementation of this scheme during the year 1951-52. The animals were of the Gir breed. The Sanstha worked under the scheme from 1951-52 to 1956-57.

Poultry Improvement Schemes provide for the supply of pure-bred cocks of improved white leg horn and Rhode Island breeds to bona fide cultivators at the concessional rates fixed by the Poultry Development Officer, Poona. A Government Poultry Farm has been established at Kolhapur.

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