FOREWORD About 70 % population of India directly or indirectly depends on Agriculture and Allied sectors. Agriculture is backbone of Indian economy and hence it can play a vital role in boosting the development of Indian economy. The importance of agriculture in Indian economy is clearly indicated in a statement by our 1st Prime Minister Hon'ble Pandit Jawarharlal Neharu that " It is impossible to develop national economy unless the development of Agriculture." Therefore,to achieve this target an appropriate planning of area specific cropping patterns, proper crop management techniques, sound marketing facilities, good export technology and its awareness are the most essential targets before Indian Agriculture. While preparing CDAP of Raigad district the focus was given on overall sustainable development of Agriculture and Allied sector through Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil and water conservation, Dairy, Aanimal Husbandry, Fishery, and Forestry. Main thrust was given for increasing productivity and income from existing crops in the district which will ultimately leads on National Development. Diversification of crops and enterprises as well as introduction of new innovative activities with the help SREP of the district has given main focus on increasing productivity of various horticultural, pulse and vegetable crops of the district. Raigad district is emerging as important Industralising hub. Hence more people are migrating towards Industrial sector as a result there is acute shortage of farm labour, so adequate measures are taken for Agriculture Mechanization through sub mission. Looking to the geographical situation of the district major imphasis has being given for the development of Fisheries activities and its infracture development. For boosting farmers’ income, value addition of agriculture produce is an essential factor and therefore main focus is given on post harvest management, efficient and effective market linkages. Water and fertilizer use efficiency is another area of main concern which is going to be tackled keeping in view the mission on OFLM and Soil Health mission. I hope that this comprehensive district plan will act as a guide to achieve the targeted agricultural growth rate in 12th plan period. K.B.Tarkase District Supretending Agriculture Officer, Raigad (M.S.) 1 Chapter-1 Introduction The Background The growth in the agriculture and allied sectors is slow. To improve agriculture growth rate during XII Five-Year Plan, the NDC (National Development Council) has set a target of achieving a growth rate of 4 per cent. The strategy is to make agriculture growth more inclusive. For this purpose, the NDC in its resolution advised the state governments to prepare Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan (CDAP) which is a comprehensive documentation of agriculture and allied sectors. This should include both in physical and financial aspects. The necessary guidelines has been prepared for the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme, to be known as NADP/RKVY by the Department of Agriculture, Government of India, for compliance to the above resolution and in consultation with the Planning Commission. One of the important features of RKVY is to achieve 4 per cent annual growth in the agriculture sector during XI plan period by enhancing all type of development aspects of agriculture and allied sectors. The RKVY, a State Plan Scheme, intends to motivate respective districts to increase investment in agriculture and allied sectors. Necessary autonomy in planning and executing the plan based on agro-climatic conditions is to be given at district level. The approach aims to achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps, maximise returns to the farmers and bring about quantifiable changes in the production and productivity of the various components of agriculture and allied sectors. The district is expected to formulate a district agriculture plan by taking into account the resources available from the on-going schemes such as Crop schemes, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Agriculture Technology management Agency (ATMA), Special Component Plan (SCP), Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), Onfarm Land Water Management (OFLWM), Rainfed Area Development (RAD), Dryland Farming Mission (DLFM), Mathma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), etc. The district plan would project the requirements for the development of agriculture and allied sectors in the district. The plan should also present the financial requirement and the sources of financing the agriculture development plans in a comprehensive way. Thus, the preparation of the district agriculture plan is an 2 elaborate, exhaustive and iterative process. Considering the perspective of Raigad District the CDAP is properly and comprehensively made. The Process and Methodology In view of the above objectives and guidelines, the district plan has been prepared considering the various parameters. For agriculture sector development a holistic approach is needed. Therefore while preparing the CDAP, almost all the sectors/programmes concerning rural development, farming and vulnerable sections have been taken into consideration. The important sectors/programmes include: horticulture; agriculture, fishery; animal husbandry; dairy development, etc. The CDAP for XII Five-Year Plan is prepared keeping the XI Five-Year Plan parameters as benchmark. Gaps in the yields, production and productivity levels, infrastructure, technology and extension, interdependence of various sectors, investment, etc are the main problems encountered in the agricultural sector. The problems have been analysed in detail. A SWOT analysis of the district has been done for the systematic and scientific planning. The plan includes the growth drivers of the district, the innovative schemes suitable and supportive for higher growth in agriculture. The data base of the plan is collected from grampanchayat and taluka level which is quantitative and qualitative also. The data is based on secondary sources, and observations and discussions held with progressive farmers, Panchayat raj institutions (PRIs) at different levels, voluntary and non-governmental organisations. The CDAP is prepared broadly on the framework suggested by the Planning Commission i.e. decentralised and integrated approach. As per this direction, the plan preparation began with consultation process with stakeholders at different stages starting from the village (grampanchayat) level. The district heads of different departments were actively involved throughout the preparation of the CDAP. The concerned personnel were also consulted during the preparation of the plan. The guidance and advice was sought from time to time from the Scientists of the Dr Balasaheb Savant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeerth (Zonal Research Center Karjat, KVK Roha, Kharland Reaseach Station, Panvel). The guidance and interactive discussions on the draft plan of the senior Officers of the Department of Agriculture at the state level was also provided from time to time. The inputs and suggestions given by all were useful in preparing the plan. 3 Chapter -2 General Description of the District 2.1 Introduction The Raigad district is located on western side of Maharashtra State in Konkan Division. Arabian Sea is spread along the west side and Sahyadri Hills towards the east. Thane, Pune, Satara and Ratnagiri are the border districts. North West is Thane crick. The District is spread 160 km north-west and 25 to 50 km east-west. Geographical area of the district is 7,162 sq km and is 2.32 % of the total area of state. Raigad district has 240 km clean and beautiful sea shore. There are fifteen Talukas namely; Alibag, Pen, Panvel, Karjat, Uran, Khalapur, Roha, Sudhagad (Pali), Mangaon, Murud, Mhasala, Shrivardhan and Poladpur in Raigad District. Alibag is the head quarter which is historical capital city of Sarkhel Kahnoji Angre. As per 2011 census the population of district is 26,34,200 which includes 12, 89,855 females and 13,44,345 males. Literacy percentage is in males is 89.10% and females is 76.90% averaging 83.10% of the district. The female:male of the district is 955 per thousand. There are 1970 villages and 16 cities. Local self government includes 824 GP, 15 PS, and 11 Corporations. As Raigad has 240 km sea shore definitely fishing is one of the major enterprises in about 103 villages along the sea shore. ‘Jitada’ is supposed to be the king of fish in Raigad and taken as inland fish enterprise. Bauxite mineral is found in Shriwardhan, Roha and Murud talukas. Ferus is also found in some part of the district. Natural oil is found in Uran taluka. Domestic salt is prepared in Uran and Panvel. Amongst industrial products are chemicals, colours, paper, Iron, different type of soft drinks etc. Industrial sectors are Khopoli (10.9 ha), Panvel (12.31 ha), Kamothe (23.8 ha), Roha (240.44 ha), Taloja (893.31 ha), Patalganga (313.70 ha), Birvadi (470.39 ha). There are also big industries in Nagothane, Mangaon, Wadkhal, Usar,. Climate The climate of district is hot and humid. Average rainfall is 3142.83 mm and is highest i.e. 4,947 mm at Matheran Aug 2014 in Karjat taluka. About 48% of rainfall is received in July. During rainy season humidity is above 80% and it ranges from 65 to 75 in rest of the year. There is no much difference in day and night temperatures. Highest temperature in May is 31.80. 4 The occurrence and distribution of rainfall is mainly during kharif from June to September. The normal rainfall of the district is 3038.20 mm received over about 45 days in a year. Taluka wise average normal rainfall is shown in figure 2.1. The monthly average rainfall information is depicted in figure 2.2 Figure: 2.2. Taluka wise Average Normal Rainfall in mm ( last 3 years) 2.2: Agro Climatic Conditions The soil of the district is of deep loamy at sea shore and river basin, lateritic on hill tops, saline at sea shore, medium in paddy cropped area, shallow in forest. Around 30,000 ha land is saline due to inundation of sea water and is becoming uncultivable. There is Kharland Research Station at Panvel. Raigad was supposed to be Rice Boul.