CHAPTER III PROFILE OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT AND NEWASA TALUKA CHAPTER III PROFILE OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT AND NEWASA TALUKA
3.1. PROFILE OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT 3.1.1. Location 3.1.2. Area 3.1.3. Boundaries 3.1.4. Rivers 3.1.5. Climate 3.1.6. Railfall 3.1.7. Soil 3.1.8. Population 3.1.9. Occupational Pattern 3.1.10. Land use Pattern 3.1.11. Land holding 3.1.12. Cropping Pattern 3.1.13. Irrigation 3.1.14. Live stock Population 3.1.15. Co-operative Societies in Ahmednagar District 3.2. PROFILE OF NEWASA TALUKA 3.2.1. Religious traditions 3.2.2. Location 3.2.3. Area 3.2.4. Boundaries 3.2.5. Rivers 3.2.6. Rainfall 3.2.7. Soil 3.2.8. Population 3.2.9. Occupational pattern of Population 3.2.10. Land use pattern 3.2.11. Cropping Pattern in Newasa Taluka 3.2.12. Irrigation 3.2.13. Live stock population 3.2.14. Availability of other amenities 3.2.15. Use of agricultural equipments 3.2.16. Co-operative societies ('r^ " '
-1
69 CHAPTER III
PROFILE OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT AND NEWASA TALUKA:
This chapter has been divided into two parts
(I) Profile of Ahmednagar District and
(II) Profile o f Newasa Taluka.
3.1. Profile of Ahmednagar District:
The first sugar factory in Maharashtra was established at Haregaon
(Taluka Shrirampur) in Ahmednagar District. It was registered in 1919 and its first crushing season was held in 1924-25. Similarly the first co-operative sugar factory in Maharashtra was also registered in Ahmednagar District at
Pravaranagar (Taluka Rahata) in 1948. Its first crushing season was held in
1950-51. This encouraged establishment of many co-operative sugar factories in
Maharashtra. Even today the largest members o f sugar factories are located in
Ahmednagar and Kolhapur Districts.
In view of this special feature o f Ahmednagar District; it is important to study the geographical, social and economic conditions of Ahmednagar District, which gave it premier position in sugar industry of Maharashtra.
3.1.1. Location:
Ahmednagar District is known as the land of the saints. "It is located in the central part of Maharashtra between 18^-2’ to 19^-9 North latitude and 73®-
9’ and 75^-5’ East longitude" ^
"In 1494 M alik Ahmed established his Capital City, which came to be known after his name as Ahmednagar. The Head Quarter of the District, being at Ahmednagar the District was also named as Ahmednagar District." ^
70 3.1.2. Area:
"The area of Ahmednagar District is 17,412 sq. kms and areawise it is the largest district in Maharashtra and occupies 5.66% o f the total geographical area of Maharashtra." ^ For administrative purposes, the district has been divided into
14 talukas. Table No.3.1 gives information about the area o f each taluka and the number o f villages therein.
TABLE NO. 3.1 Talukawise Area and villages in Ahmednagar District (2001-02) Sr.No. Taluka Area in Sq. kilometer No.of villages 1 Ahmednagar 1,524.75 112 2 Akole 1,503.79 191 3 Karjat 1,493.07 121 4 Kopergaon 725.16 81 5 Jamkhed 878.62 87 6 Newasa 1,286.55 129 7 Parner 1,933.25 131 8 Pathardi 1,203.49 135 9 Rahata 659.19 60 10 Rahuri 1,020.12 98 11 Sangamner 1,678.82 171 12 Shevgaon 1,031.29 112 13 Shrigonda 1,605.83 115 14 Shrirampur 569.87 56 Source : District socio-economic review of Ahmednagar District, 2001-02, Section - 11, P. 1 & 2.
It can be seen from the table that Parner taluka has the largest area of
1933.25 sq. kms in the District and Shrirampur taluka has the smallest area of
569.87 sq. kms. The largest numbers of villages are in Akole Taluka with 191 villages whereas Shrirampur taluka has the smallest number with 56 villages.
3.1.3. Boundaries: "Ahmednagar District is bounded by Nasik District in the North, by
Aurangabad District in the North East; by Beed and Osmanabad District in the
71 East, by Solapur District in the South and by Thane and Pune Districts in the
East."^
3.1.4. Rivers:
“Godavari and Bhima are the two major rivers passing through
Ahmednagar district. Pravara, a tributary o f the Godavari meets the latter at
Toka village in Newasa Taluka. M ula river, a tributary o f the Pravara passes through the Northern part of the District. The Bhima river coming from Pune
District flows along the southern boundary of the Ahmednagar District. The
Seena, Kukadi and Ghod rivers are the tributaries of Bhima and pass through
Pamer, Shrigonda and karjat talukas respectively.
According to the topography o f the district, the hilly region o f the western side and the plains of the Eastern side are the two parts o f the District.
A Sahyadri mountain range passes through Akole taluka o f the district.
Sahyadri’s highest peak Kalsubai (1654 meters from sea level) is in this range.
The western part o f the district is drained the rivers M ula and Pravara and the
Baleshwar range of the Sahyadri occupies a part o f Pamer taluka.” ^
3.1.5. Climate:
The climate of the Ahmednagar district is characterized by a hot summer and general dryness except during the south-west monsoon season. The year can be divided into four seasons. The cold season from December to February is followed by the hot season from March to the first week o f season o f June. The south-west monsoon season is from the second week o f June till the end of
September while October and November constitute the post monsoon or retreating monsoon season.
3.1.6. Rainfall:
In Maharashtra, Ahmednagar District is known as drought-prone area.
The rainfall in this District is uncertain and is unequally distributed.
72 The rainfall in the Eastern talukas of Akole and Sangamner talukas is comparatively highest than other talukas. But it is not regular. The shevgaon,
Pathardi, Ahmednagar, Pamer and Jamkhed talukas are considered to be rainfed talukas. The average rainfall o f the district in the year 2001 was 566 m.m.
Normally; the district receives rains from June to September. Average annual rainfall o f the district is 450 to 500 m. m.
It can be seen that Ahmednagar District falls in the low rainfall zone.
3.1.7. Soil:
The soil o f the Ahmednagar District can broadly be classified into three groups viz., black or kali, red or tambat and laterite and the gray o f inferior quality locally known as barad.
3.1.8. Population:
The changes in the population of Ahmednagar District are given in Table
No. 3.2. TABLE NO. 3.2 Total population and decade changes therein of Ahmednagar District Decade Sr.No. Year Population Rate of variation Variation
1 1921 7,19,137 -- 2 1931 9,69,209 +250072 34.77 3 1941 11,23,040 +153831 15.87 4 1951 14,10,873 +287833 25.62 5 1961 17,75,969 +365096 25.87 6 1971 22,69,117 +493148 27.76 7 1981 27,08,309 +439192 19.35 8 1991 33,72,935 +664626 24.54 9 2001 40,88,077 +715142 21.20 Source : District census hanc book o f Ahmednagar district 1991, p. 7 «fe District
socio-economic review of Ahmednagar district, 2001-02, P. 5.
The above table shows that the population o f the District has been
increasing right from the year 1921. During the decade 1921 to 1931, the
73 increase in population was the highest at 34.77% and during the period 1931-
1941 the increase was the smallest at 15.87%. During the period 1991 to 2001 the population increased by 21.20% and in 2001, it stood at 40,88,077.
According to the census of 2001, out o f the total population o f 4088077,
32,84,480 or 80.34% people lived in rural area. The average rural population per village is 2077. This average is the highest for Shrirampur taluka at 3105 and Akole has the least average o f 1881. Rural population is the largest in
Shrirampur taluka and the lowest in Jamkhed taluka. O f the total population of the district 8,03,597(19.66%) live in the urban areas. Urban population is the highest in Ahmednagar city and it is the lowest for Nagapur census town.
3.1.9. Occupational Pattern:
The classification of the working population in Ahmednagar District is given in Table No. 3.3
TABLE NO. 3.3 Occupational pattern of the working population of Ahmednagar District Sr. No.of workers as Percentage of Type of Workers No. per 1991 census workers 1 Agriculturist 678288 47.35 2 Agricultural Labourers 380918 26.59 3 Allied Agricultural Activities 21187 1.48 4 Cottage and House hold industries 19770 1.38 5 Industries other than house hold 108245 7.56 6 Trade and commerce 72370 5.05 7 Construction 22464 1.57 8 Mining and quarrying 1952 0.14 9 Transport and communication 25980 1.81 10 Other services 101237 7.07 Total workers 1432411 100.00 Source : District socio-economic review oi" Ahmednagar district, 2001-02, P.6
and Ahmednagar district census handbook, P. 43.
The above table shows that the number o f workers engaged in various occupations was 14,32,411 and constituted 42.47% o f the population o f the
District.
74 The above table also reveals that agriculture is the main occupation o f the people of the District and so 75.42% of the working population is engaged in agriculture as cultivators, agricultural labourers and agriculture-related activities like cattle breeding. Only 24.58% of the working population is engaged in non- agricultural sector. Thus Ahmednagar District is considered to be agricultural
District.
3.1.10.Land use pattern;
Ahmednagar District covers the geographical area o f 17,41,271 hectare.
The details of the land wise of the district according in the 2000-01 are given in
Table No. 3.4
TABLE NO. 3.4 Land use pattern of Ahmednagar District in 2001-02 Sr. Classification of land Area in hectares Percentage No.
1 Forest area 145063 8.33
2 Area not available for 152365 8.75 agriculture.
3 Land not under cultivation 107098 6.15 other than fallow land
4 Fallow land 125637 7.22
5 Total fallow land (current and 1211108 69.55 others)
6 Net area under cultivation 1741271 100.00
Source : District Socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar District in 2002-03. P. 8.
75 Graph No. 3.1 Land use pattern of Ahmednagar District (2001-02)
Forest Area 8%
Area Not Available for Agriculture 9%
Land Not Under Cultivation Other than fallow land 6%
Fallow Land Total Fallow Land 7% 70%
Ref: Based on Table No.3.4.
The above table shows that in the year 2001-02, the area under forest was
1,45,065 hectares or 8.33% of the total area. Similarly land not available for farming was 1,07,098 hectares or 6.15% o f the total area. The total fallow land
(current and others) during the year was 1,25,637 hectares or 7.22%. Thus net land used for cultivation was 12,11,108 hectares or 69.55%>. Crops are grown on
69.55% o f the area of the district.
76 3.1.11. Land Holding:
According to the Agriculture census of 1990-91 the total number of landholders in the District was 6,80,609 who held 13,56,362 hectares o f land.
Their size wise distribution is given in Table No.3.5
TABLE NO. 3.5 Size of land holding in Ahmednagar District Sr. Size of Land No. of Land Percentage Area Percentage No. (Hectares) holder Hectares
1 0 to 0.99 239151 35.13% 127900 9.42%
2 1 to 1.99 213899 31.42% 312445 23.03%
3 2 to 3.99 157906 23.20% 423553 31.22%
4 4 to 9.99 61517 9.03% 352165 25.96%
5 10 and above 8136 1.19% 131259 9.67% Total 680609 100% 1356322 100%
Source : District socio-economic Review o f Ahmednagar District, 2001-02, P. 8
and 9.
Ahmednagar district has the largest number o f landholders in
Maharashtra state. O f the landholders in the district 35.13% o f the holders have land in the range of 0 to 0.99 hectare and hold 9.42% o f the total area. A t the other end, 1.19% landholders in the range of 10 hectare and above hold 9.67% of the total area. Small and marginal farmers holding land of less than 2 hectare constitute 66.55% of the total landholders.
3.1.12.Cropping Pattern:
Jowar is the main crop grown in Ahmednagar District. In Ahmednagar
District, there are three cropping seasons, Viz, Kharip, Rabbi and summer.
During the kharip season, Bajara, Kharip, Cereal crops o f Jowar, rice, nachani, varai are taken & oil seeds like groundnut and sunflower are taken. In the rabbi season, Jowar, wheat, grams are taken. During summer season where irrigation
77 facilities are available, summer groundnut, maize, sunflower, vegetable and fodder crops are taken. Sugarcane is the main cash crop in Ahmednagar district, due to which the district enjoys prosperity. Fruits like grapes, orange, pomegranate are also grown in the district.
Details of areas under major crops in Ahmednagar district during the year
2001-02 are given in Table No. 3.6
TABLE NO. 3.6 Cropping pattern of Ahmednagar District (2001-02)
Sr. Area under crop Percentage of total Types of crop No. (In hectares) area under crop
1 Cereals 1022262 74.93
Pulses 91361 6.70
Sugarcane 79218 5.81
Spices 3390 0.25
Fruits & vegetables 33834 2.48
Cotton & other fibres 6769 0.50
O il seeds 60101 4.40
Other non-edible crops 67351 4.94
Total area under crop 1364286 100
Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 2002-03, P. 9.
From the above table, it can be seen that during the year 2001-02 the total area under cultivation in Ahmednagar district was 13,64,286 hectares, o f which were the largest area of 10,22,262 hectares (74.93%) was under cereals. It was followed by sugarcane with 91,361 hectares (6.70%). Spices crops occupied the least area o f 3390 hectares (0.25%)). W hile fruits and vegetables had the area of
33,834 hectares (2.48%) the cotton and other fibres crops were taken on 6,769 hectares (0.50%). O il seeds had 60,101 hectares (4.40%) and other non-edible crops were taken on 67351 hectares (4.94%),
78 Due to availability of water, crops like sugarcane, wheat, and rabbi jowar are taken in Rahuri, Newasa, Shrigonda, Sangamner, Kopargaon, Rahata and
Shrirampur talukas of the Ahmednagar District. The talukas of Ahmednagar,
Karjat, Jamkhed, Pathardi, Shevgaon, Pamer are rain-fed areas and so they take kharip crops like Bajri, Jowar, Rice and Nachani are taken in Akole Taluka.
3.1.13.Irrigation:
In Ahmednagar District irrigation farming mainly depends on well or subsoil water. Large, medium and small irrigation projects, lift irrigation and wells are the methods of irrigation in the District. The district has two major projects, viz Mula and Bhandardara. The canals of Gangapur project in Nasik
District as also the canals of the major irrigation projects of Ghod and Kukadi in
Pune District also irrigate the land in Ahmednagar district. The total irrigation capacity o f these projects is 2,08,000 hectares. Similarly the irrigation capacity of the medium projects at Visapur, Aadhala, Pargaon. Ghatshil, Mandowol,
Bhojapur, Mahe - sangavi and Seena is about 71000 hectares. Similarly the 7 small irrigation projects irrigate 23,000 hectares. The information about the irrigated area in the district is given in Table No. 3.7.
79 TABLE NO. 3.7 Tahasilwise Area under Irrigation in Ahmednagar District (In hectares)
Irrigated Area % o f irrigate- Net Area Total Area Total Sr. Name of d area to under under cultivate No. the Tahasil total Irrigation irrigation area cultivat Surface Well ed area
I Akole 1238 7986 9224 8691 93775 9.27 2 Sangamner 1860 37166 39026 25802 113843 22.66 3 Kopergaon 9784 15987 25771 23652 62567 37.80
4 Rahata 4719 10240 14959 25307 63722 39.71 5 Shrirampur 4009 23035 27045 26631 47534 56.03 6 Newasa 15511 25880 41391 58487 120464 48.55 7 Shevgaon 0 11401 11401 23565 84248 27.97 8 Pathardi 160 8974 9134 10513 120032 8.76 9 Nagar 495 24936 25431 17240 119867 14.38 10 Rahurl 11552 33137 44689 46937 68993 68.03
11 Parner 10698 15408 26106 18859 166858 11.30 12 Shrigonda 9875 26700 36575 60061 114585 52.42 13 Karjat 0 4877 4877 27160 112338 24.18
14 Jamkhed 0 6034 6034 9902 75460 13.12 Total 69901 251762 321663 382807 1364286 28.08
Source : District Socio-Economic review of Ahmednagar district, 2002- 03, P.
48 and 49.
80 Graph No. 3.2 Tahasilwise Area Under Irrigation in Ahmednagar District (in Hectares) 70000
60000
50000
40000
0 3 C 5>
■oCD 30000 CO < o
20000
10000
a> 0) I- re re re o> E o m a. (A o -S o> S -U ■§ E O)TO JC re c S> 2 re re ta a> q: ns O)I O) re 2 g; 13 re c ^ Q- ra & ^ cn w to ^ CO □ Total Area Under Irrigation
Ref: Based on Table No.3.7
81 The above table shows that during the year 2001-02, the total irrigated area in Ahmednagar District was 3,82,807 hectares. This is 28.6% of the total area under cultivation in the district. The largest irrigated area was in Shrigonda taluka (60061 hectares) followed by Newasa taluka (58487 hectare.) Akole taluka had the smallest irrigated area in the district (8691 hectare).
During the year 2001-02, the total net irrigated area in the district was
3,21,663 hectares. Out of which 69,901 hectares were irrigated by surface irrigation and wells irrigated 251762 hectares.
3.1.14. Live stock population:
Bullocks are of great importance to farmers. Similarly, cows and buffaloes are useful to them for supply of milk. Sheep and goats are also necessary for man use and milk. In short live stock wealth is o f great importance in agriculture. The information about livestock population is given in Table No.
3.8.
TABLE NO. 3.8 Live stock population of Ahmednagar District (As per 1997 livestock census)
Sr. Number of Percentage to Name of livestock No. population total population
1 Cows and Bullocks 1282099 36.82
2 Buffaloes 173985 4.99
3 Ships 1127204 32.38
4 Goats 568456 16.32
5 Other, horses, donkey 329425 9.46 Total live stock population 3481169 100
Source : District Socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 2001-02, P.
74 to 80.
82 The total live stock population o f Ahmednagar district in 1997 was
34,81,169 of which cows and bullocks was the largest part comprising of
36.82% o f the cattle wealth. The buffaloes were 4.99% and the goats were
32.38%. Thus it can be concluded that the district had enough cattle to meet the requirements o f agriculture.
3.1.15.Co-operative societies in Ahmednagar district:
In the beginning o f the movement, it was confined to co-operative credit.
Later, it speedily spread to processing o f agricultural products, agricultural marketing, rural industries, consumer stores, social services etc. The effect o f all these are that it has significantly improved the living standards of the people in the district. This district has always been in the forefront in the co-operative movement in Maharashtra. The information about the co-operative societies in the district is given in Table No. 3.9.
TABLE NO. 3.9 Co-operative societies in Ahmednagar District (2001-02) Sr. Type of societies No. of % of societies No. societies to total societies
1 Co-operative credit societies 1294 14.85
2 Non credit co-operative societies 1141 13.09
3 Marketing societies 51 0.58
Production and processing societies 4 4497 51.61
5 Social services societies 1730 19.85 Total 8713 100.00
Source : District Deputy Registrar o f co-operative society, Ahmednagar and
District socio-economic review of Ahmednagar district, 2001-2002,
P. 125.
83 Graph No. 3.3 Co-operative Societies in Ahmednagar District (2001-02)
Social Services 1730 Societies
Production and processing 4497 societies
Marketing societies
Non credit co 1141 operative societies
Co-operative credit 1294 societies
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 No. of co-operative Societies Ref: Based on Table No.3.9.
The above table shows that by the end o f the year 2001-02, there were
8713 co-operative societies o f which the producers and processing societies constituted the largest proportion of 51.61% (4497). These societies included sugar factories, milk societies and other producers and processing societies. Co operative societies formed 14.85%, non-credit co-operative societies 13.09%, marketing societies 0.58% and social services societies 19.85%
It can thus be concluded that there is an extensive network o f co operative societies in Ahmednagar District.
84 M ap No. 3.2
NEW ASA TALUKA- PHYSICAL
District - Ahmednagar
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85 3.2. Profile of Newasa Taluka:
The subject of this research study is Mula Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.
(henceforth it is called as MSSK) is situated in Newasa taluka & to understand
M S S K ’s impact on the social and economic life o f people in its area o f operation, it is essential to know general conditions o f the area prior to the establishment o f the Karkhana. The researcher, therefore, presents here the social and economic conditions of the Newasa taluka for the year 1977-78. The information is obtained from various government reports.
3.2.1. Religious traditions:
The poet-saint Dnyaneshwar compiled his commentary on Bhagavat
Geeta at Newasa in 1290 A.D. Similarly the famous pilgrim centres o f Shri
Shani-Shingnapur and Shri Datta Temple of Devgad are situated in this taluka.
These are the sacred places for a large number o f devoters and followers spread all over the world. Thus Newasa taluka has great significance in the religious field.
3.2.2. Location:
“Newasa is one of the 14 talukas of Ahmednagar district. The taluka Head
Quarter o f Newasa lies on 19^.34’ North latitude and 75° East longitudes.
Newasa town is 61 km. from Ahmednagar, the Dist. H.Q. Newasa lies to the
North of Ahmednagar.” ^
3.2.3. Area:
“The geographical area of Newasa taluka is 1286.55 sq. kms, with 129 villages.”^ Areawise, Newasa taluka ranks eighth in Ahmednagar District.
3.2.4. Boundaries:
“Newasa taluka is in the North side o f Ahmednagar district. It is bounded in the north by Gangapur taluka o f Aurangabad district. On its eastern and south-east side is Shevgaon taluka. On its west is Rahuri taluka and on the south is Ahmednagar taluka. On its North east lies Shrirampur taluka.” *
86 3.2.5. Rivers:
The drainage of Newasa is wholly towards the Godawari. Which forms an almost continuous boundry of the taluka on the north. One village belonging to his high ness the Nizam lies to the south o f the river thus breaking the continuos boundary for three miles. The bed o f the river lies on an average from twenty to forty feet below the surrounding country, but in some places as much even as from sixty to eighty feet. The chief tributory o f the Godavari is the
Pravara, which enters the taluka about seven miles west o f the town o f Newasa at its confluence with the Mula River. After flowing past the taluka place the united stream falls into the Godawari by the villages o f Toka and Pravara-
Sangam. The Mula River forms for about ten miles the western boundary between Newasa and the neighbouring taluka of Rahuri. The Lendga, which with its minor tributaries drains a greater part o f the western half o f the taluka, is formed by streams which have their origin in the Nagar range o f hills on the south and after a northerly course of about twenty five miles it joins the Pravara by the village o f Khupti. The Dhor River, which also rises in the Nagar hills and joins the Godaavari near the town o f Paithan, flows by the south-east boundary of Newasa and Shevgaon for about twelve miles. With its minor tributaries the
Vishramganga, the Sev, and the Kalpati it drains the eastern half of Newasa.
3.2.6. Rainfall:
The agriculture in Newasa taluka is chiefly dependent on southwest monsoon. Generally, it rains during the period June to September. The rains are generally irregular and inadequate. Average annual rainfall of the Newasa
Taluka is 550 to 600 m.m.
It can be seen that the rains in the taluka are very inadequate and this has affected agricultural production.
87 3.2.7. Soils:
In the Newasa taluka the soil is good and with careful tillage is capable of yielding rich crops. It varies considerably in character. The best is a deep rich munjal a reddish soil generally near the Pravara and the Mula, which is admirably suited for garden crops. Being alluvial and friable it wants less moisture and is more easily worked than the stiffer and more clayey soils along the Godavari, which are also good and with abundant rain yield good harvests.
In other parts o f the taluka have tracks o f rich deep soil o f various texture but not so uniformly fertile as the tracks close to the Godavari and its feeders the
M ula and the Pravara mixed with these richer lands are many tracts o f poorer soil, flats of murum or gravelly and of khadkal or stony land, low plateaus of hard barren land, bare ridges or water-partings o f mal or uplands separating the
Godavari the Pravara and many smaller streams and near the hills shallow easily worked soil.
3.2.8. Population:
The following table gives decadal growth of population of Newasa taluka from 1961. TABLE NO. 3.10 Population and decadal variation therein of Newasa Taluka Decadal Rate of Sr. No. Year Population Variation variation
1 1961 117706 --
2 1971 150393 +32687 27.77
3 1981 211237 +60844 40.46
4 1991 273075 +61838 29.27
5 2001 326611 +53536 19.60
Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 2001-02, P.
4.
88 Graph No.3.4 Population and decadal variation therein of Newasa Taluka
□ Population
326611 2001
1991 273075
S 1981 211237 >-
1971 150393
1961 1117706
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000
Total Population
Ref: Based on Table No.3.10.
The above table shows that the population o f the taluka increased from
1,17,706 in 1961 to 3,26,611 in 2001. It was 7.99% o f the population of
Ahmednagar district. The table also reveals during the decade 1961-71, the taluka population increased by 32687 (27.77%). During the decade 1971 - 81, it grew by 60,844 (40.46%). In this decade the addition to the population was the
89 highest. During the period 1981 to 91, the population increased by 61,838
(29.27%) and during the ten years o f 1991-2001, population increased by
53,536 (19.60%). Thus while the population of the taluka has been continuously increasing the rate of growth has been declining.
The distribution of villages in Newasa taluka according to population is given as below:
Out of the 129 villages in the Taluka, 47(36.43%) villages had population in the range o f 1000 to 1999. This group has the highest number o f villages. The next group o f 2000-4999 population ranges has 33(25.58%) villages. At the other end, there are 02(1.55%) villages with population o f less than 200. There are 11 villages (8.53%) with population in the range o f 200 to 499. There are 7 villages (5.43%) with population in the range o f 5000-9999. There are 02 big villages (1.55%) with population exceeding 10000.
It can be concluded that the taluka has a large number o f villages with medium population in the ranges o f 1000-1999 and 2000-4999.
The structure of population of Newasa taluka is given in Table No. 3.11. TABLE NO. 3.11 Structure of population of Newasa Taluka (Census 2001)
Sr. No. Name Number Percentage 1 Total population 326611 100
2 Male 168561 51.61
3 Female 158050 48.39 4 Urban - -
5 Rural 326611 100
6 Density 254 per sq.k.m. -
Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 2001-02, P. 1.
90 It can be seen from the above table that of the total population of Newasa taluka 1,68,561 (51.61%) were males and 1,58,050 (48.39%) were females. The density of population was 254 per sq.k.m. and that all the population resided in rural areas.
3.2.9. Occupational pattern of population:
The distribution of population of Newasa taluka is various occupations are given in Table No. 3.12.
TABLE NO. 3.12 Occupational structure of population of Newasa Taluka Sr. No. of Percentage Type of worker No. workers to workers
1 Agriculturist 52533 41.56
2 Agricultural labourers 54057 42.76
3 Live stock forestry, fishing, hunting & 1528 1.21
plantations, orchards and allied activities
4 Mining & quarrying 259 0.20
5 Manufacturing, processing, servicing & 1362 1.08
repairs in household industry
6 Manufacturing, processing servicing and 5587 4.42
repairs in other than household industry
7 Construction 1019 0.81
8 Trade & commerce 3996 3.16
9 Transport, storage & communications 1213 0.96
10 Other services 4851 3.84 Total workers 126405 100.00
Source : Ahmednagar district census handbook 1991, P. 44 and Socio-
economic review of Ahmednagar district. 2001-02, P. 13 to 15.
91 Graph No.3.5 Occupational structure of population of Newasa Taluka
4851
3996
1019
5587
1 1362
259
1528
54057
52533
10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
□ Other Services ■ Transport, Storage & Communications □ Trade & Commerce □ Construction □ Manufacturing,Processing Servicing & Repairs in other than Houshold industry ■ Manufacturing,Processing,Servicing & Repairs in Houshold industry □ Mining & quarrying □ Lives stoci< forestry,fishing,hunting,& platations,orchards and allied activites □ Agricultural Labourers □Agriculturist
Ref: Based on Table No.3.12
92 From the above table it is seen that the total working population o f
Newasa Taluka was 1,26,403, which comes to 46.29% o f the total population o f the taluka and 8.82% o f the working population o f the district. O f the working population of the taluka engaged in various industries and occupations, 84.32% are engaged in Agriculture and agro-related occupations and industries and
15.68% are engaged in the sectors like construction, trade and business, transport and communications. Thus it can be concluded that the main occupation of people in Newasa taluka is agriculture in which a very large number o f people are engaged.
3.2.10. Land-use pattern:
The total geographical area of Newasa taluka is 7.42% of that
Ahmednagar district. The land-use pattern and its percentage to total area for the year 1977-78 is given in Table N o.3.13
TABLE NO. 3.13 Land use pattern of Newasa Taluka (1977-78) Sr. Use of land Area in ha % to total No. area 1 Forest 2000 1.55
2 Land not available for cultivation 10300 7.97
3 Other uncultivated land 2600 2.01
4 Cultivable waste 2400 1.86
5 Net area sown 111900 86.61 Total geographical area 129200 100.00
Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 977-78, P. 25
and 27.
It can be seen from the above table that in the year 1977-78 forests covered just 1.55% o f the total area in Newasa taluka. Land not available for cultivation was 7.97% of the total area. Other uncultivated land comprising of cultivable waste permanent pastures & other grazing land accounted for 2.01%
93 of the total area. The area in the category o f cultivable waste was 1.86% o f the total area. Thus net area sown in the year 1977-78 was 86.61% o f the total area o f the Newasa taluka. It is thus clear that in the year 1977-78 the net area sown constituted 86.61% and rest of the area of 13.39% was not cultivated.
3.2.11.Cropping pattern in Newasa Taluka:
Agricultural depends on the vagaries o f nature. Cropping decisions have to be taken after considering the type of land, rainfall, climate etc. like other talukas in Ahmednagar district, Newasa taluka too has three crop season viz, kharip, rabbi and summer. In the kharip season, crops like Bajra, Jowar, Toor,
Groundnuts are taken. In the Rabbi season, crops like wheat, grams are grown and in the summer season. Sunflower, groundnut, maize, vegetables are sown.
Sugarcane is the main cash crop in Newasa taluka.
Table No. 3.14 gives details of the cropping pattern of Newasa taluka in year 1977-78. TABLE NO. 3.14 Cropping pattern in Newasa Taluka (1977-78) Sr. Area under crop (In Percentage to total area No Types of crop hectares) under crop • I Cereals: rice 307 0.25 Wheat 8204 6.59 Jowar 71642 57.58 Bajara 16644 13.38 Maize 83 0.07 Other cereals 227 0.18 Total 97107 78.05 2 Pulses Gram 3123 2.51 Toor 2147 1.73 Mug 287 0.23 Mataki 1150 0.92 Other pulses 1304 1.05 Total pulses 8011 6.44 Total food grains (1+2) 105118 84.48 3 Sugarcane 8517 6.85 (Continued)
94 Table No. 3.14(Continued) Spices: Chilies 515 0.41 Turmeric Other spices 34 0.03 Total 549 0.44 Fruits& vegetables 446 0.36 Total food crops H4630 92.13 (1-I-2+3+4+5) Fibre crops Cotton 305 0.25 Other fibbers 01 0.0001 Total Fibres 306 0.25 7 Oil seeds: Groundnut 2085 1.68 Safflower 6344 5.10 Jawas 713 0.57 Sesame 345 0.28 Total 9487 7.62 8 Non-food crops (6+7) 9793 7.87 Total area under crop 124423 100.00 Source : District socio-economic review of Ahmednagar district, 1979-80,
P. 29 to 37.
It can be seen from the above table that in the year 1977-78 the area under cultivation was 1,24,423 hectares o f which 78.05% was under cereal
crops in which wheat, jowar, and bajara were the main crops. The cereal crops
was followed by sugarcane which covered 6.85% o f the area under cultivation
pulses covered 6.44% of the area under cultivation while fibre crops, spices,
fruits and vegetables and oil seeds covered 0.25%, 0.44%, 0.36% & 7.87%
respectively.
It is thus clear that in 1977-78 i.e. the year prior to the starting o f the
MSSK. Sugarcane was grown only on 6.85% of the area under cultivation in
Newasa taluka. In absolute terms sugarcane was grown on 8517 hectares on
land. Prior to the establishment of M SSK the farmers in Newasa taluka grew
jowar, bajara, wheat etc. on a large scale and were not inclined to grow
sugarcane.
95 3.2.12. Irrigation :
Agriculture depends mainly on water and so water is an important factor in agriculture. Good income can be received from farming only if timely and adequate water is available. A large part of Newasa taluka has irrigation facilities. The important sources of water supply to agricultural in Newasa taluka are described below:
I) Canals :
The largest part of Newasa taluka comes under Mula canal. “The Mula
Dam project was completed in 1970 and it benefits some parts of Rahuri,
Newasa and Shevgaon talukas. Water is released from two canals, viz M ula right canal and M ula left canal. The Newasa taluka gets water from M ula right canal. The height o f the Dam is 46.64 meters and the length o f the M ula canal is
69.40 k.m .” ^ The M ula Dam is situated at Baragaon - Nandur, Tal - Rahuri and it is the biggest dam in Ahmednagar district. The maximum storage capacity of the Dam is 735.80 million cubic meters and the total area irrigated by this dam is 1,61,386 hectares out of which 31,650 hectares are in Newasa taluka.
II) Wells :
“Wells are the important source o f water to farmers in Newasa taluka.
The water level of wells depends on rains and so if there are drought wells have little water. W ith determined efforts the M ula Co-operative Sugar Factoiy has contributed significantly in augmenting well water supply. The number of wells has gone up to 9,264 and they irrigate 31,535 hectares o f land.” This source constitutes 75.22% o f the net irrigated area in Newasa taluka.
Table No. 3.15 gives details of various sources o f irrigation in Newasa taluka in 1977-78 and area irrigated by each o f the sources.
96 Table No. 3.15 Area under irrigation by various sources in Newasa taluka r ^ear 1977-78) Sr. Net irrigated area % to total net Source of irrigation No. (in hectares) irrigation area 1 Canal 15210 63.79 2 Wells 8634 36.21 Total net irrigated area 23844 100.00 Source!: District socio-economic review of Ahmednagar district, 1977-78,
P. 42.
The above table makes it clear that canal & wells were only important sources o f irrigation in Newasa taluka in 1977-78. These two sources irrigated a total area of 23,844 hectares of which canal irrigation was 63.79% and wells irrigated 36.21%.
3.2.13. Live stock population:
Since irrigation farming is prevalent on a large scale in Newasa taluka.
Anim al power is greatly required for farming operations. Hence there is large need of bullocks. Similarly dairy farming is also undertaken by farmers as a supplementary means, they rear cows and buffaloes of high yielding quality.
Table No. 3.16 gives the live stock population o f Newasa Taluka in the year
1978. Table No. 3.16 Live stock population in Newasa Taluka
Sr. Number of % to total livestock Category of livestock No. population population 1 Buffaloes 5037 3.93 2 He-buffaloes 2519 1.97 3 Cows & Bullocks 57724 45.04 4 Goats 47986 37.44 5 Sheep 12275 9.58 6 Other livestock 2630 2.05 Total livestock population 128171 100.00 Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 1979-80, P. 75
to 78.
97 It can be seen from the above table that in the year 1978, the total livestock population of Newasa taluka was 1,28,171 of v^/hich cows and bullocks had a majority with 45.04% of total livestock population. It was followed by goats with 37.44% and sheep by 9.58% Buffaloes, he- Buffaloes and other livestock constituted 9,58%, 3.93%>, 1.97% & 2.05% respectively.
Thus it can be concluded that in 1978 the livestock useful in agriculture was largest in number. It means the cattle population was quite large before the establishment o f the MSSK.
3.2.14. Availability of other amenities:
Educational, medical, drinking water, post, telephone, communication, pucca roads, power supply, etc. amenities available to the 129 villages in
Newasa taluka and the number of beneficiaries. Its details are discussed in Table
No. 3.17 TABLE NO. 3.17 Village and population lowing other amenities Benefited Sr. Availability of No. of % o f Population % o f No. Amenities villages villages population
1 Drinking water 129 100.00 273075 100.00
2 Power supply 129 100.00 273075 100.00
3 Education 127 98.45 272788 99.89
4 Approach by pucca 102 79.07 253719 92.91
road
5 Communication 57 44.19 172294 63.09
6 Post and telegraph 49 37.98 171743 62.89
7 Medical 44 34.11 155057 56.78
8 Market / Hat 23 17.83 104684 38.34
Source : District Census Handbook, 1991, P. 46 and 47.
98 The above table shows that 100% of population o f Newasa taluka have drinking water and power supply. Only 1.11% of taluka's population is without educational facilities. Similarly 27 villages in the taluka do not pucca approach roads. In the taluka, 72 villages do not have communication facilities and 80 villages are without post & Telegraph facilities. Likewise 44 villages do not have medical facilities and 23 villages are without market facilities.
3.2.15. Use of agricultural equipments :
Agricultural operations cannot be undertaken without any implements. It is therefore essential every farmer own such equipment, which mainly depends on his financial condition. The details of agricultural equipments used in
Newasa taluka in the year 1977-78 are given in Table No. 3.18.
TABLE NO. 3.18 Agricultural Equipments in Newasa Taluka (1977-78) Sr. No. Name of equipments No. of equipments
1 Electric pumps 2563
2 Oil engines 1871
3 Bullock carts 7210
4 Wooden ploughs 986
5 Iron ploughs 3408
6 Tractors 164
7 Sugarcane crushers operated with 09
bullocks
8 Electric sugarcane crushers 09
Source : District socio-economic review o f Ahmednagar district, 1978-79,
P. 67.
The study of the above table reveals that before the establishment o f the
M SSK i.e. in 1977-78, there were 2563 electric pumps, 1871 oil engines for pumping water for irrigation. The farmers in that year used 986 wooden ploughs
s\, aft
■ V . I -J' and 3408 irons ploughs in Newasa taluka. There were only 164 tractors in
Newasa taluka that year. For crushing o f sugarcane 9 bullocks operated crushers
and 9 electric crushers were used. Thus agricultural operations were largely
carried out with the help of bullocks and tractors were used on a very small
scale. Similarly oil engines were greatly in use.
3.2.16. Co-operative societies:
“As on 31-3-2002 there were 590 co-operative societies in Newasa taluka
and they form 6.77% of the District co-operative societies.” "
100 -;REFERENCES;-
1. Ahmednagar District Gazetter, 1976, Govt, o f Maharashtra, P. 1
2. District Socio-Economic Review of Ahmednagar District, 2001-
2002, P. 3
3. Ibid , P. 1
4. Ibid , P. 1
5. Ib id , P. 4
6. Ahmednagar District Gazetter, P. 615
7. District Socio-Economic review of Ahmednagar District, 2001-2002,
P. 1
8. Ahmednagar District Gazetter, P. 615
9. District socio-Economic review of Ahmednagar District, 2001-2002,
P. 63. lO.Ibid, P. 58
11. Ibid, P. 127
□ □
101