Agri-Economy

Agriculture is not a profitable means of employment in this hilly district due to its uneven geographical conditions, small terraced fields and non-availability of proper irrigation facilities. The Nayyar (the main river system of the district) catchments are richly endowed with various natural resources viz. Soil, Water, Minerals, Rocks, Forests and a Scenic Landscape. It is still economically under developed. The present form and level of agro economy of the area is considerably poor.

LAND USE PATTERN

As per the statistics available for year 1996-97 for land use pattern of the district, only 11.6% of the total area is under cultivation and its only 7 to 8 percent area falls under irrigation. It reveals that dry farming prevails in the region.

LAND USE PATTERN AS PER 1996-97

            SSOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION

In the district, the agricultural land is in the form of narrow terraces and scattered holdings except in the case of river valleys and in most cases uneconomical for cultivation. The cultivated land is a mostly non-irrigated, terraced field with undulating slopes, with extreme climatic variations and abrupt changes in altitudes. Due to these variations the cropping pattern changes with the altitude and the climatic conditions.  Wheat and Barley are the main ‘Rabi’ crops while Rice, Kodo, Sanva are main ‘Kharif’ crops of the district. Urad, Arhar are the main pulses grown in the district while Mustard and Soybean dominate in oil seeds.

CROP PRODUCTION (Major Crops as Per 1996-97)

            SSOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998

HORTICULTURE

The agricultural land of the district is much suitable for fruit and vegetable production in comparison of agricultural production. Vegetables can be produced around the year in the district due to climatic differences of hilly and valley area viz. ‘peas’, ‘cauliflower’ etc. is produced in valleys during winter while in hilly areas during summer.

There are a number of fruit orchards both big and small distributed all over the district. Among them the Bharsar orchard with an area of 195.6 Hectares falling under block Pabau is the most important. In this orchard, there are a large number of fruit trees. Apple is dominating consisting of an area of 86 hectares and 1500 plants. Besides apple there are 300 pears, 250 Khumani, 125 Plums, 125 Peach, 186 Walnut, 80 Chestnut and Lemon plants.

Apart from this, there are orchards situated in Bironkhal block at Seli, Jogimani, Bawunas, Uphraikhal, Meldhar, Bedikhal, Jamria and Kola growing Apple, Peach, Walnut, Plum, Pear, Orange and Lemon respectively. Jahrikhal block also grows a number of fruits units' orchard, situated at Kandu with an area of 4 Hectares growing Apple, Pear, Khubani and Pear. Banduna with an area of 2 Hectares grows mainly Apple. Jahrikhal with an area of 4 Hectares grows Apple, Lemon, Dhurs with an area of 2 Hectares grows Lemon. Silwar with an area of one Hectare grow Mango, Leechi and Lemon and lastly Raitpur with an area of 2 Hectares grows Mango, Leechi and Walnut.  Apart from this few less important orchards have also been set up at Rikhnikhal, Pokhra & Thalisain block.

IRRIGATION

Minor irrigation facilities are the main source of the irrigation in the district. Due to its geographical topography, ‘Hydrum’ (Pump sets) techniques are also in use but not successfully exploited. In the plain areas (Bhabar areas) of the districts, Irrigation Wells (Nalcoops) and Canals are used. In hills, Gools (small canals) are used for the fields along the river water channels in valley areas. 

IRRIGATION FACILITIES      

            SSOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

The animal husbandry and cattle breeding is an integral part in the district. According to 1978-79 livestock census there was 21.26 animals per hectare of pastureland, 1.47 animals per hectare of forestland and 0.93 animals per hectare of total geographical area of the district. The cattle density per sq. km. stands 123.61 cattle and the density of the milch animal was 107.96 cattle per sq. km.  Cattle are the main source of manure in the district and it is a tradition to keep the cattle in each household. The milk production from each milch animal is very low presumably below one liter per day. Other than cattle, goats and sheep are the other important constituents of livestock in the district.

LIVESTOCKS (1993)

SOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998

FACILITIES

The agricultural production in the district is not fulfilled the requirement of the district. To maintain and increase the productivity, different types of programmes are executed with the help of People’s contribution and Government’s facilities. To fulfill the food-grain requirements of the district, a number of godowns are available for the storage of food-grain supplied from outside district.

            SSOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998

            SSOURCE: - DISTRICT STATISTICAL BOOKLET 1998