IRRIGATION

Irrigation was never a problem in this district as the rainfall was so distributed throughout the year that large-scale irrigation projects seemed unnecessary. Besides, the district was well provided with means of irrigation.

Means of Irrigation

The means of irrigation consist of canals, lift irrigation, well, tubewells, tanks and lakes besides minor irrigation works. A brief account of different means of irrigation follows.

Canals, Lift Irrigation,Wells,Tube-wells and Tank and lakes.

The following statement shows the extent of area (in hectares ) irrigated from different sources.

Minor Irrigation Works

For small farmers minor irrigation works have been introduced in the district. Irrigation is by far the main consumer of water-resources. The development of irrigation has received attention since long and concerted efforts have been made to develop irrigation especially through minor irrigation schemes. There has been a significant step up in the development of ground water due to availability of ground water as a source of assured irrigation, extension of electric power to villages, increases availability of diesel and diesel engines and fast development of cooperative credit for minor irrigation etc. With more and more area coming under irrigation, there has been a steady increase in the intensity of cropping, as well as in the intensity of irrigated cropping.

The minor irrigation potential can be defined as the area that can be brought under irrigation by combined usage of ground water and surface water. As per the latest data available, only 222000 Ha Approx. would be covered under irrigation, out of net cultivated area 336000 Ha. Approx. , thus, leaving a wide gap to be filled in the over years.

AGRICULTURE INCLUDING HORTICULTURE

Soils and Crops

In the southern tahsil of Harriya and Basti the prevailing form of soil is loam, while in the north the area of clay approximates a extend to that of loam. The main variety of soils in the district are the loamy of dumat, the clayey or matar and the sandy Sandy soil is found along the high banks of river Ghaghra.

Soils of the district are generally calcareous and similar to the alluvial soils, the present material of which is, in general, calcareous and the native vegetation consists of shrubs and low grasses. As regards fertility, the district Basti is grouped under the medium category.

Harvests

Considering the physical condition of the district is it is only natural to find that the Kharif harvest largely exceeds the Rabi in  extent. The Zaid or extra harvest is usually unimportant and seldom covers large area.The climate and soil of the district are suitable for the growth of nearly all the crops which are grown in other parts of the State. Principal Kharif Crops are Sugar-cane, Maize, Paddy   and Pulses  and principal crops of Rabi are wheat, Barley,Gram, Peas, Lahi, and Potato.

Sant Kabir Nagar district continues to predominantly agriculture-based and this base has been further activised after launching of special production programmes.

Progress of Scientific Agriculture

Improved and scientific method of growing various crops like wheat, Barley, Paddy, Sugar-cane were popularised the farmers used crop rotation inorganic fertilizers including organic which has increased agricultural production to multi foods the per hectare of average yield of rice in 1971 was 7.16 Quintals where as it is 11.22 Quintals now.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND FISHERIES

Animal

Animal Husbandry comprises following subsectors

Dairy Development

Pottery farming

Sheep

Goat and Piggery Development

Duck/Quail and Rabbit raring

The animal Population of the district is as follows:

Veterinary Hospital

As per available information network of veterinary hospitals/A.I. centres are as under:-

Poultry Farming

Poultry can provide rich food for health, additional income and job opportunities to a large number of rural population in the shortest possible time. At the national level, egg and broiler production registered a compound growth rate of 7.3 % and 18 % respectively during the 7th & 8th five year plan.  

Goat/Piggery Development

The Goat is a versatile animal which is also called as "Poor man's cow" in India and as 'wet nurse' in Europe. The goat can be kept with little expense. goat milk is thus, cheap and wholesome/nutritious, which is best suited to infants, pregnant women and the sick people. The Pig is maintained  generally for the production of pork. Pig also convert inedible feeds forages, certain gain by products, meat-by products, garbage etc. into valuable nutritious meat. The faces of pigs are also useful in maintaining soil fertility. They grow fast and are a prolific breeder, furrowing 10 to 12 piglets at a time. Since about 76% of the farmers in the district are small and marginal farmers, there exists great potential for goat/piggery development, provided sufficient extension work is ensured. 

Fisheries

The fisheries of the district are considerable value and importance. Fish of almost all the varieties that occur elsewhere in the State are to be found in the rivers, ponds and lakes and form a favourite article of diet with most classes of the population.    

Marine/Brakish fisheries are irrelevant to the topography of the district. Inland fisheries have immense scope for development, and play an important role in the economy of the district. It helps in augmenting food -supply, generating employment, raising nutritional level and earning sizeable income. If developed properly, it may earn foreign exchange as well, besides improving socio-economic conditions of the traditional fishermen. Inland or Fresh water fisheries can be divided into capture fisheries and culture fisheries. Capture fisheries can  further be divided into two categories viz. "Riverine fishery" and "Reservoir fishery" Both have good scope for development.                                    

Existing population of tractors in the district is about 845. Other data on mechanisation is as under:

PLANTATION/HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

Plantation crops are not being raised in the district. Horticulture crops are location specific. They require a certain type of climate and soil. This sector may be divided into following sub-sectors:

               1.     Fruit crops

               2.     Vegetable crops

               3.     Floriculture

               4.     Others (Mushroom cultivation, Sericulture and Nurseries etc.)

Agro-climate conditions & topography of the district is provides good potential for undertaking various horticulture activities. A number of farmers may be inspired to grow Banana, Mango, Guava and Aonla. There are five cold storage and good number of processing units in the district.