Discuss the contribution of agriculture in Economic development of Maharashtra.
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Although Maharashtra is a highly industrialized state of India, agriculture continues to be the main occupation in the state. Since most of the cultivable land is still rain-fed, the Southwest Monsoon season between June and September is critical to the food sufficiency and quality of life in the state. Therefore, the agricultural calendar of Maharashtra and other parts of India, is governed by Monsoon. Any fluctuations in the time distribution, spatial distribution or quantity of the monsoon rains may lead to conditions of floods or droughts causing the agricultural sector to adversely suffer. This has a cascading effect on the secondary economic sectors, the overall economy, food inflation and therefore the overall quality and cost of living for the general population. Few of tehsils from the districts in Western Maharashtra on the Deccan plateau such as Pune ,Solapur,Sangli,Satara and Ahmadnagarand the Marathwada region are particularly prone to drought.
Irrigation facilities are being extended so that agriculture could be made less dependent upon rain water. Maharashtra has by far the largest number of Dams in India. Despite that, the net irrigated area totals only 33,500 square kilometres or about 16% of cultivable land.[12]
Principal Monsoon crops include Rice, jwari, and Bajri. Other crops include Wheat, pulses, vegetables and onions.
The main Cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, turmeric, and several oil seedsincluding groundnut, sunflower and soybean. The state has huge areas, under fruit cultivation of which mangoes, bananas, grapes, pomogranate and oranges are the main ones.
Maharashtra was a pioneer in the development of Agricultural CooperativeSocieties after independence. In fact, it was an integral part of the then Governing Congress party's vision of ‘rural development with local initiative’. A ‘special’ status was accorded to the sugar cooperatives and the government assumed the role of a mentor by acting as a stakeholder, guarantor and regulator,[13][14][15] Apart from sugar, Cooperatives play a crucial role in dairy,[16]cotton, and fertiliser industries. The members of the respective society include all farmers, small and large, supplying their produce to the processing mill, dairy etc.[17] Over the last fifty years, the local sugar mills and other cooperative bodies have played a crucial part in encouraging political participation and as a stepping stone for aspiring politicians.[14]
Irrigation facilities are being extended so that agriculture could be made less dependent upon rain water. Maharashtra has by far the largest number of Dams in India. Despite that, the net irrigated area totals only 33,500 square kilometres or about 16% of cultivable land.[12]
Principal Monsoon crops include Rice, jwari, and Bajri. Other crops include Wheat, pulses, vegetables and onions.
The main Cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, turmeric, and several oil seedsincluding groundnut, sunflower and soybean. The state has huge areas, under fruit cultivation of which mangoes, bananas, grapes, pomogranate and oranges are the main ones.
Maharashtra was a pioneer in the development of Agricultural CooperativeSocieties after independence. In fact, it was an integral part of the then Governing Congress party's vision of ‘rural development with local initiative’. A ‘special’ status was accorded to the sugar cooperatives and the government assumed the role of a mentor by acting as a stakeholder, guarantor and regulator,[13][14][15] Apart from sugar, Cooperatives play a crucial role in dairy,[16]cotton, and fertiliser industries. The members of the respective society include all farmers, small and large, supplying their produce to the processing mill, dairy etc.[17] Over the last fifty years, the local sugar mills and other cooperative bodies have played a crucial part in encouraging political participation and as a stepping stone for aspiring politicians.[14]
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