AGRICULTURAL SCENARIO OF MEWAT DISTRICT Sachin Yadav
1. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
AGRICULTURAL SCENARIO OF MEWAT DISTRICT
Sachin yadav
Research scholar
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Mewat district is one of the 21 districts of Haryana state in northern India. The district was
carved as the 20th district of Haryana from erstwhile Gurgaon and Hathin Block of Faridabad
districts on 4 April 2005. though Hathin Sub Division was shifted to New district Palwal in
2008.It is bounded by Gurgaon district on the north, Rewari district on the west and
Faridabad and Palwal districts on the east. Nuh town is the headquarters of this district. The
district occupies an area of 1859.61 km². The district has a population of 10,89,263 (2011
census). Mewat is populated by the Meos, who are agriculturalists.
Nuh town is Mewat district's headquarter. The district comprises Nuh, Taoru, Nagina, Firozpur
Jhirka and Punhana blocks and 431 villages
Mewat district lies between 27039’, 280 20’ North latitude and 76051’ and 77020’ East
longitudes. The area is largely occupied by alluvial plains, traversed by elongated ridges of
Delhi quartzites. The ground water in the district area is saline,and salinity increases with
depth. The district is socio-economically backward. Agriculture, the base economic activity
of the people is deprived of irrigation. There is no river and area is drained by artificial drains
namely Nuh, Ujina & Kotla drains. They carry rain water into Yamuna river. Gurgaon canal
carries water to the area which is distributed through Nuh, Firozpur Jhirka, Uttawar,
Mandkola, Hathin and Chhyansa distributaries.
AGRICULTURAL SCENARIO OF DISTRICT
2. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
2.1: Introduction
Agriculture is the main stay of district economy. The soils are coarse in texture
and alkaline in reaction, poor in O.C. and Phosphorus. After the introduction of sprinkler
irrigation system, the irrigation for the uneven fields has become very easy and the
district has done remarkable progress in agriculture production. The agricultural growth
of the district can be increased further by diversifying the farming system in favor of
vegetables and fruits and efficient management of inputs.
2.2: Land Use
Out of the total geographical area of 186232 hectares in the district, 151180 ha
area was sown during 2006-07. The district has only 994 ha area under forest, 22675 ha
under non-agricultural use and 8767 hectares as cultivable waste. It indicates that there is
scope district has not yet been fully exploited. Hence, there is further scope to enhance
area under cultivation by more than 31000 hectares. At present, the cropping intensity is
150 % and can be increased by adopting intensive cultivation
Table 2.1: Land utililization statistics
(hact)
Geographical Area 186232
Cultivable area 151180
Irrigated area 103988
Forest Area 994
Land under non agricultural use 22675
Permanent pastures 34
Current fallow area 12484
Net sown area 151180
Gross cropped area 214719
Cropping intensity (%) 150
Source: DDA , Mewat
3. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
Table 2.2: Land Holdings (Agriculture Census 2001) (Holdings in
numbers and area in ha)
Block
Marginal
Farmers
Small
Farmers
Semi-med.
Farmers
Medium
farmers
Large
farmers
Total
No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area
Tauru 6232 2493 7486 8983 740 3000 523 2363 - - 14981 16839
Nuh
12067 9171 9781
2012
6
3048 7325 - - - - 24896 36922
FP
Jhirka
6900 4100 2220 2836 1665 3340 1805 8290 1782 12457 14372 31023
Nagina 5900 3500 1775 2870 1420 3000 1540 6950 1183 5298 11818 21615
Punhana 8800 5100 2830 3360 2140 4300 2323 8100 1777 8216 17875 29076
Total
39899 24364 24092
3817
5
9013 20965 6191 25703 4742 25971 83942
13547
5
4. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
2.3: Soil Health
All the soils of the district are low in organic matter and phosphorus. The deficiency of micro
nutrients like Zinc, Fe and Mn is also increasing day by day. On the other hand, the increasing trend
of burning of mustard-residues in brick kilns is posing a serious threat to soil /environmental health.
Hence green manuring and utilizing mustard residue and animal shed waste for composting will help
in restoration of soil health. Moreover, site specific nutrient management, particularly in
micronutrient nutrition of the crops needs greater attention and rain water harvesting should be
assigned top priority to control depleting water table
2.4: Water Resource Management
The surface and ground water resources are very poor in the district. The irrigation water is
very scarce input and has become a major hurdle in the growth of agriculture. The major source of
irrigation is tube wells thereby ground water has been overexploited during recent years. The normal
rainfall in the district is also low (465 mm) and not able to recharge the depleted ground water level.
Therefore, it is essential to manage ground water efficiently by adopting micro irrigation system
particularly in horticultural and vegetable crops.
2.5: Major Crops and Varieties in the District
The major field crops cultivated in kharif season are bajra, jawar and guar. Likewise, the
major crops grown in rabi season are mustard and wheat. The Ber , Aonla, Guava and Kinnow are
the best suited horticultural crops to the agro-climatic conditions of the district. The vegetable crops
namely cucurbits, okra, carrot, radish cauliflower, chilli, brinjal, pea, leafy vegetables, tomato, onion
(kharif and rabi) etc are also grown in the district.
Table 2.3: Major crops and their varieties cultivated in Mewat district
Crops Varieties
Bajra Hybrids (Private), HHB 50, HHB 60, HHB 67 (Improved), HHB 67,
HHB , HHB 94, HHB 117
Guar HG 365 and HG 563
Jowar HC 260, HC 171, HC 308
Dhaincha DH-1, DH-3
Moong SML 668, Muskan, Satya
5. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
Raya R.H. 30, T-59, Laxmi, RB 9901, Jadia, Pusa Jai Kihan and varieties of
private companies mainly, Pioneer, Proagro, Dev Seeds
Wheat PBW-343, WH-711, PBW-502, Raj-3765, WH 283, C-306
Barley BH-393 and Local
Gram HC-1, C-235
2.7: Input Management
Besides improved seeds, the integrated nutrient, weed and pest management is essential to
accelerate agricultural growth. At present, a big gap exists between the actual productivity and
potential productivity of the crops grown in the district. The proper and timely management of
following inputs for crops is essential to fill this gap.
i. Good quality seed
Good quality seed is the most critical input in crop production. The government agencies are trying
their level best for assured supply of good quality seeds, but the suply usually falls short of demand.
Therefore, the reputed private seed agencies should be involved for making assured availability of
good quality seed.
Table 2. 4 : Seed replacement rate in Mewat district.
Sr. No. Name of the Crop Area under Crop (ha) Present SRR %
3 Jowar 4775 75
4 Wheat 100536 90
5 Paddy 5985 100
8 Raya 27760 70
10 Bajra 17164 100
Source: Deptt. of Agriculture
ii. Fertilizers
The fertilizer is second most important input for the crop production of high yielding varieties. The
farmers are not aware of the balanced use of fertilizers. They are concentrating mainly on
application of nitrogen. There is under or no use of P in pulses but its over use is noticed in mustard.
The crops suffer from the deficiency of micro-nutrients like Zinc megnissium and iron affecting the
6. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
productivity of crops in the district. Therefore, location specific integrated nutrient management, use
of bio-fertilizers, FYM and vermi-compost is required to be popularized for wider adoption.
(c) Plant protection chemicals
The crop diseases, pests and weeds are other major problems in obtaining higher yields. The
improper management of these control measures often results into increased cost of cultivation
without much benefit in yield. In vegetables, the farmers are depending mainly on chemical control
with higher doses of insecicides. Hence, integrated measures for control of insect/pests, diseases and
weeds control, which are required to be adopted for sustainability and profitability of crops.
Weedicides are used mainly in wheat and paddy
2.8: Farm Mechanization/Farm Equipments
The district has insufficient number of farm machinery, particularly laser leveler, zero tillage
machines and seed-cum-fertilizer drill in the district for perfect micro irrigation and proper
placement of seed and fertilizer. The land holdings are very small as compared to other districts and
about 75 % farmers come under marginal category . Most of the farm operations like sowing,
weeding, harvesting and threshing are done manually. Thus the popularization of improved
agricultural implements need attention.
2.5 : Farm Machinery Status in Mewat District
Description of farm machinery/implements Present status (Nos)
Tractors 5989
Threshers 2749
Harvester 12
Zero-till-machine 34
Straw Reaper 5
Rotavator 3
Reaper Binder 5
Combined Harvester 4
Source: DDA, Mewat
7. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
2.9: Special projects / Programmes going on in the district
The following special projects are going on in the district.
Table 2.6: Special schemes going on in the district
S.
.
Name of Scheme
State / Centre
Sponsored
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
1. District Work (DW)Scheme for Agriculture Demonstration and
propaganda
State/MDA
2. HVP Scheme for High Yielding Varieties Programme State/MDA
3. Micro Irrigation Project State/MDA
4. O.S.T. Scheme for development of Oilseeds in Drought Affected
Area State/MDA
5. W.B.Scheme for Agriculture Extension Training Services to the
farmers
State/MDA
6. Q.C.I Scheme for quality Control in Agricultural Input State/MDA
7. NDDP (National Dairy Development Programme) Centre
8. ISOPOM Integrated Scheme of Oilseed, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize Centre
9. MMM Scheme for the Macro Management Mode of Agriculture Centre
10 Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Centre
11 NHM (National Horticulture Mission) Centre
KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA
1 Farmers/Field staff training & other extension activities
2 Survey/ studies on various farming aspects
2.10 : Constraint Analysis
The reasons for the yield gaps and the interventions required are planned using participatory /
consultative processes involving stakeholders. The natural factors of production including soil and
water in Mewat district are slowly degrading and retarding the growth of agriculture production. The
soil health is deteriorating and ground water level is declining at a faster rate. Moreover, the quality
of ground water is mostly brackish and its indiscriminate use is causing secondary salinisation /
sodification of soils. The poor availability of nutrients in soils is having a direct bearing on crop
growth and finally on the quality of produce as grains, fruits, vegetables, fodder etc. It has recently
been observed that nutrients deficiency in food and fodder affect the human and animal health
adversaly. The major reasons lower yields of crops are poor and uncertain availability of water for
irrigation, poor status of soil nutrients, low carbon content in the soil, brackish ground water,
increasing soil salinity and environmental stresses during the growth period of crops etc.
8. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
2.10.1 Constraints in Agricultural Progress
The major obstacles affecting the progress and productivity of the district as identified by
participatory approach are listed hereunder.
ï‚· Depleting soil fertility
ï‚· Declining water table particularly in P.F.Jhirka & Tauru blocks
ï‚· Salinity and sodicity problems
ï‚· Non-judicious use of fertilizers
ï‚· Stagnation in yields
ï‚· Rising costs and diminishing economic returns
ï‚· Rising problems of insect-pest, disease complex and weed flora.
ï‚· Decline in factor productivity
ï‚· Shift in weed flora
ï‚· Inadequate availability of quality seeds particularly vegetables, and fodders
ï‚· Inadequate availability of quality fodder
ï‚· Problem in large and small ruminates
ï‚· Fragmented small holdings
ï‚· Narrow economic base
ï‚· Slow pace of diversification
ï‚· Farmers inability to invest
ï‚· Personal and social outlook
ï‚· Lack of orientation in development department
ï‚· Lack of farm finance and marketing awareness.
2.10.2 Major Strengths of farming systems in the district Mewat
ï‚· Suitable agro-climatic conditions for the cultivation of mustard, bajra, guar, barley,wheat and
vegetable crops
ï‚· Ideally located in the vicinity of National Capital
ï‚· Largely light soils, easy to cultivate
ï‚· Dairy, fish farming and goatry are integral component of farming system
ï‚· MSP for mustard, bajra and wheat.
ï‚· Procurement policy for wheat and bajra
9. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
ï‚· Soil fertility is good and can help in the increasing the income of farmers if irrigation is made
available.
2.10.3 Major Weaknesses
ï‚· Low rain fall with erratic distribution
ï‚· Canal water available only for limited area which is not of good quality and soil
health is deteriorating day by day and has created water stagnation problem
ï‚· Depleting water table in the area having good quality water
ï‚· Lack of awareness among farmers due to inadequate extension services
ï‚· More than 90 % of the underground water is brackish in nature
ï‚· Light textured soils in some of the part of the district have poor water and nutrients retention
capacity
ï‚· More than 65 % of the soils are affected with varying degree of salinity
ï‚· Low plant density in mustard due to moisture stress resulting in lower yields.
ï‚· Infestations of non-cropped area with congress-grass is a potential danger to animal and
human health as well as bio-diversity.
ï‚· Poor management of animal dung & crop residues.
ï‚· Poor breeding, feeding and management of livestock practices
ï‚· Poor adoption of improved practices in a large number of crops
ï‚· Lack of water harvesting and management practices
ï‚· Poor communication/transport facilities
ï‚· Slow pace of urbanization and industrialization
ï‚· Poor marketing infrastructure
ï‚· Insufficient financial infrastructure
ï‚· Poor farm machinery marketing facility
ï‚· Sole crop are being grown in salt affected soils
2.10.4 Major Opportunities:
ï‚· Suitable agro-climatic conditions are congenial for mustard ,jowar & bajra as well as crop
diversification through rain-fed horticultural plantation.
ï‚· Good scope for water conservation technology adoption
ï‚· Good scope for adoption of micro irrigation systems in horticultural and vegetable crops
10. IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 3 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)
ï‚· Mustard by-product available in abundance which can be recycled as compost/ vermi-
compost for improving soil health
ï‚· Scope of improvement in the marketing infra structure and network of co-operatives
ï‚· Information and communication system needs improvement
ï‚· Excellent rail and road connectivity is required to accelerate developmental process
ï‚· Improvement in livestock rearing to meet rising demand of milk and milk products.
ï‚· More area can be brought under floriculture and vegetables
ï‚· Good scope for establishment of pulses and oilseeds processing plants
Sources :- 1 – Agriculture Department Mewat
2 –MDA Mewat
3 – DDA Mewat
4- line Department
5 – Maps of India