CHAPTER 3 PROFILE OF DAVANGERE DISTRICT

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 3 PROFILE OF DAVANGERE DISTRICT This chapter presents a brief profile of Davangere district, the area selected for the present study. The objective of this chapter is to provide the greater insights of the background of the study area. Accordingly, it provides the information about the historical background, location, geographical area and population, topography and soil, climatic conditions, irrigation and socio-economic conditions of the district. 3. Historical Background To disseminate better administration and socio-economic development of the central part of the state, the Govt, of Kamataka announced the formation of Davangere district which came in to existence on S"^ August, 997. This district with six taluks was carved out of the Chitradurga, Shimoga and Bellary districts. Davangere, Harihar and Jagalur taluks have segregated from Chitradurga; Channagiri and Honnali taluks from Shimoga, and Harapanahalli taluk from Bellary district. The district is named after the head quarter of the district i.e. Davangere. The name "Davangere" is said to be derived fi-om the "DAVANE" which means a rope in Kannada, used for tying the cattle and horses on the bank of a big lake. In the year 8 the name of the small village with about five hundred houses has changed to Davangere ( The district is also surrounded in antiquarian history, which dates back to the Chalukya and Pandya Dynasty. Wikipedia reported that the Chalukyas halted at this place to overcome the fatigue {danivu ka/eyuva) of a long horse-ride. A lake (kere) was excavated for them to quench their thirst. The place came to be known as Daunegere (a modification of danivina kere) and eventually Davangere. This popular belief is not attested by any concrete 48

2 historical evidence ( Important historical monuments of the district, the inscriptions and coins that belong to the Mauryan period are found in Jagalur taluk of this district. Few decades ago, the Davangere was popularly known as 'Manchester of India' due to its finest quality cotton produced in its premium cotton mills and handlooms. Agriculture too forms the district's economic backbone. Mahatma Gandhi visited Davangere on 2"'^ March 934 and laid foundation stone for a high school. It was not just beginning for educational era in Davangere but a major milestone. Today Davangere has emerged as is one of the good education centers by providing facilities for all kinds of primary and higher education. 3.2 Location A unique district located in the central part of Kamataka lies between 3^ 45' and 4*^ 50" north latitudinal parallels and 75" 30' and 76*^ 30' east longitudinal parallels. The district is bounded by five districts namely Bellary and Haveri on north, Bellary and Chitradurga on east, Chikkamagalore and Shimoga on south and Haveri on the west. Tungabhadra river passes through Honnali taluk and later forms natural boundary on the west along Harihar and Harpanahalli taluk borders. Davangere city lie on national highway-4 (NH4) and broad gauge railway line also passes through the district. Geographical location of Davangere district is shown in Fig Geographical Area and Population The district spans over a total geographical area of 5976 sq. kms accounts for 3. percent of total geographical area and 3.39 percent of total population of the state. It ranks sixteenth in area among thirty districts of the state and measures 7 km from north to south and 0 km from east to west. The table 3. provides data on geographical area and some 49

3 selected demographic variables presented separately for Kamataka state and Davangere district. Davangere ranks nineth place in term of population in the state. The population of the district according to 20 Census is 9,46,905 comprising 9,89,602 males (50.83 percent) and 9,57,303 females (49.7 percent). As per 20 census the rural population of the district is 3,7,86 (67.69 percent) and urban population is 6,29,089 (32.3 percent). Vidhansabha - Karnataka 2. Bangalore Rural 3. Bonga^re Urban 4 Betcfigdum 5. Bellary 6 B^dar 7. K^pur 8. O^omara^nogar 9. Chilliliomugohiru 0. Chi*rodorga I DakshinQ Kapntwla ^2. &a-vanagem msgeri 3. Dharwot^ t4. Ca<fag JS. Gulbaiga 6. HaKson 7. How«ri 8. Ko-do^u 9. Kolor 20. Kappa! 2 t Maodya 22. Mysore 23. Rokhur 24. Shimoga 25. Tumfeur 26. Uiiupi 27 UHoro Kjarvnadfi 28 Bruhaf B«ngaluru idevangere 5 ^»rv «, '. Anafauru ;:-. r V t-j A.. ^ n<s)s3rono ^^^,,/v^ Davangere /^ ^ I ^ } Harpanahalli Mayahwdtt ' /Hariharj^ Y ("^ fijpavangere Jagalur p^ vrtiadfiki f - W*rnortr<;<aif ^..V*'^ " " '\s \ L e cr no r:::r- : «.!. ',.^*,5..;,r.^ w* w^ <C^Honnah%,Sa^^^^ - x _ ^ / \ S \ r 'xj Fig. 3. Geographical location of Davangere district and its taluks 50

4 Table 3. Geographical area and population SI. Davangere Variable No. District Geographical Area (sq. kms) Total Population Male Population Female Population Sex ratio (Male : Female) Urban Population (as % to total population) Density of Population SC Population (as % to total population) ST Population (as % to total population) (3.2) (3.8) (3.9) (3.8) 000 : *.7* ote : Figures in parenthesis are percentage to he total of the state Source : Census report 20 Karnataka State : * 6.5* Karnataka at a glance, Davangere is relatively more densely populated because of the overall density of population in the district is 329 per sq. kms as compared to the state average of 39 per sq. kms. As per 20 census, it varies from 65 per sq. kms in Jagalur to 644 per sq. kms in Davangere. The percentage of male and female population of the district with respect to the total male and female population of Karnataka state was 3.9 and 3.8 respectively. Thus, the sex ratio of the district (967) is slightly less than the sex ratio of the state (968). The percentage of urban population to the total population is slightly low in the district (32.3) compared to the state (38.57). But within the district there is wide variation in the level of urbanization across the different taluks of the district. The percentage of SC and ST population in the total population is relatively more in the district compared to the state. 5

5 3.4 Topography and Soil Based on the precise and detailed study of the surface features of various regions (i.e. topography), soil characteristics, rainfall, cropping pattern etc., the Kamataka state has been divided into ten agro-climatic zones. Davangere district has spread into three agro climatic zones, namely central dry zone, southern transition zone and northern dry zone. Channagiri and Honnali taluks are coming under south transition zone {Semi Malnad area) which has hot summer, pleasant winter and good monsoon. Davangere and Harihar taluks fall under central dry zone and have hot summer, pleasant winter and average monsoon. Harapanahalli is from northern dry zone and it has very hot summer, very low rain fall and pleasant winter. Jagalur taluk is under central dry zone it is very hot in summer, very low rain fall and pleasant winter. The river Tunga Bhadra passes through Honnali, Harihar and Harapanahalli taluks and is just 4 Kms away from the district head-quarters. Sasalhalla also known as Sulekerehalla, a major stream flows through Davangere and Harihar taluka. The northern portion of district consists of vast expanses of plain country. This region is well drained by a number of streams. The district consists of mainly 3 types of soils, viz., black alluvial soil, red soil with shallow to medium depth gravel and clay soil. The black soil has high water retaining capacity, is self aerating with small to medium depth and rich in clay. It is suitable for crops like cotton, paddy, sugarcane etc. Both black and red soils found in the district are generally fertile, and suitable for crops like maize, jowar, ragi, cotton and sugar cane. 3.5 Education and Literacy Rate After the collapse of many cotton mills the Davangere lost its name as 'Manchester of Kamataka", but due to opening of many educational institutes it has emerged as 'Education Centre" in recent years. There are 234 primary schools. 392 high schools. 96 Junior colleges, 30 first grade colleges, 8 polytechnics, 4 engineering colleges, 2 Dental and 2 Medical 52

6 colleges, one ayurvedic medical college, one University Fine Art college, 5 Management colleges, Davangere University, 5 Educational Colleges, 5 Nursing Colleges and schools. Literacy is one of the important socio-economic indicators of a region. The data on literacy rate in Davangere district in comparison with Kamataka state is consolidated in the table 3.2. Literacy rate in Davangere district (76.3) was found to be slightly higher than the literacy level in Kamataka state (75.60). The same holds good both for male and females literacy rate. The total literacy rate in rural areas of the district (72.49) was found to be considerably lower than that in urban areas (84.26) of the district. The rural disadvantage in the literacy rate is more pronounced in females' literacy rate compared to males' literacy. Literacy rate was found to be lowest among the rural female among the different strata given in the table. However, during the past many years there has been a steady and substantial increase in the proportion of literates in the population of the district due to increase in the primary and higher education. Table 3.2 Literacy Rate SI. No. Particulars Total Male Female Literacy rate in Kamataka State Literacy rate in Davangere District Literacy rate in rural areas of the district Literacy rate in urban areas of the district Source: Census report Classification of Workers The working group is the key to agricultural and economic developments of that region, district or state. Census report defined the work as 'participation in any economically productive activity with or without compensation, wages or profit". It includes part time help or unpaid work on farm, family enterprise or in any other economic activity. Work is an 53

7 important socio-economic indicator of an individual or a group of individuals. Based on the participation and intensity of work the population can be classified into workers and nonworkers. Further workers could be classified into main workers and marginal workers. The main workers are those who had worked for the major part of the year and engaged in any economically productive activity for more than or equal to 83 days (or six months) during the year. Marginal workers are those who worked any time in the year but did not work for a major part of the year, i.e., those who worked for less than 83 days (or six months). Nonworkers were those who had not worked any time at all in the year preceding the date of enumeration. The details of classification of workers in Davangere district in comparison with the Kamataka state is shown in Table 3.3. Work Status Main Workers Marginal Workers Total Workers Non Workers Total Population Table 3.3 Classification of population based on the status of work Male (50.9) 5368 (5.8) (56.7) (43.3) Davangere District Female (8.9) (.3) (30.) 604 (69.9) Total (35.3) (8.5) (43.8) 0077 (56.2) Male (5.9) (5.0) (56.9) (43.) Karnataka State Female (20.9) (.0) (3.9) (68.) Total (36.7) (7.9) (44.6) (55.4) Note : Figures in parenthesis are percentage to the total population respective strata Source : Census report 200 Work participation rate found to be slightly low in Davangere district (43.8) compared to the state level data (44.6). It is applicable to the work participation rate of both male and female but the gap is slightly more for females' work participation rate. Workers constitute 43.8 percent of the total population of the district out of which 35.3 are main workers and the remaining 8.5 are marginal workers. Females" participation in the work is 54

8 very less (30.) compared to the male counterparts (56.7). Out of 30. percent of working women 8.9 are main workers and the remaining.3 are marginal workers. It is clearly indicating the fact that female work participation rate is very less in the study area. The working population of Davangere district and Kamataka state has been classified into four major types of work and data on male and female workers involved in these works is given in Table 3.4. Majority of the working population of the state depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Cultivation (29.25) and agriculture labour (26.46) is the major works in agriculture and these two types of works together accounts for 55.7 percent of total working population of the state. Cultivators and agricultural labourers' accounts for 30.8 and 34.5 percent of total working population of Davangere district respectively. Thus, these two occupations together constitute 65.3 percent of the total working population of the district. Major proportion of working women involved in Agricultural labour work (56.2). Type of Work Cultivators Agricultural Labours Household industry Workers Others Total Workers Table 3.4 Classification of Workers Based on the Type of Work Male (36.9) (23.63) 3722 (2.64) (37.54) Davangere district Female (20.00) (56.2) 65 (6.28) (7.60) Total (30.76) (34.54) (3.86) (30.85) Male (3.72) (7.20) (2.66) (48.42) Karnataka State Female (24.7) (43.45) (6.68) (25.6) Total (29.25) (26.46) (4.08) (40.2) Note ; Figures in parenthesis are percentage to the total working population in respective strata Source : Census report Agriculture Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the district. It provides employment to the 65.4 percent of working population. Maize, Paddy, Jowar, Ragi, groundnut and sunflower are the major crops of the district. These crops accounts for

9 percent of the total cropped area during The district unit of Agriculture department is serving the farming community through a network of 24 Raitha Samparka Kendras, a District Agricultural Training Centre, a Soil health Centre, and a Seed Testing Laboratory. Extension of Crop Production technology and subsidised supply of inputs. Training and Quality Control are carried out through this network. The Agriculture Research Station of the University of Agricultural Sciences at Kattalagere is undertaking research on principal crops and extension services. In spite of these services agricultural productivity is considered to be low in the district. 3.8 Land Utilization, Land Holding and Area Davangere is predominantly an agriculture district and cultivable land is the backbone of its economy. Since the district covers the total geographical area of hectares and has a population of 7,90,952 (200 census) the average extent of land available per capita is 0.33 hectares. According to the latest land utilization statistics, out of the total geographical area 64 per cent is the net area sown. Table 3.5 shows the land utilization pattern for the year Size of land holding is a good indicator of the size of the farm business and consequently the economic position of the farms. Details of number of land holdings across the different size category and the area in hectares is given in table 3.6. Majority of the land holding are belonging to marginal (45.4), small (30.4) size category. Marginal and small holdings together accounted for 75.8 percent of the total holdings of the district and it is percent in Kamataka state. Only 7 percent of the total holdings are having 4 or more than 4 hectares of land. Average size of the land holding is estimated at.57 hectares. There is no considerable deference between Davangere district and Kamataka state with respect to the average size of land holding and distribution of holdings across different size category. 56

10 Table 3.5 Land utilisation in Davangere district SI. No Type of Land Forests Barren and Uncultivable land Land put to non agriculture use Permanent pastures and other grazing land Miscellaneous trees, drops, grows not included in net area sown Cultivable waste Current follows Other fallow lands Net Area sown TOTAL : Figures in Parenthesis are percentage to column total Note Source : District at a Glance, Area (in hectares) 87,04(5) 20,533 (3) 38,963 (7) 9,538(3) 5,348 () 9,08(2) 26,773 (4) 8,46() 3,82,584 (64) 5,98,097 (00) Table 3.6 Agricultural Land Holding and Area in Davangere District (Areas in hectares) Land holding Davangere District category Number Area Number Marginal Small (<2) Semi Medium (2-4) Medium (4-0) Large (> 0) Total (45.4) (30.4) (7.2) (6.4) (0.6) (5.0) (27.2) (29.5) (22.8) (5.5) (48.23) (26.56) (6.86) (7.3) (.05) Average Size of Land Holding Note : Figures in Parenthesis are percentage to respective column total Source : Karnataka at a Glance Karnataka State Area 6549 (3.33) (23.22) (28.00) (25.89) (9.55) Climate and Rainfall Davangere district has comfortable and healthy climate. Within the district the southern belt has a more pleasant weather. The year is usually divided into four seasons. Summer sets in during the second half of February and lasts till the end of May. This season is marked by harsh eastern winds, rising temperatures, whirlwinds, and occasional 57

11 thunderstorms accompanied by sharp showers. South -west monsoon season starts during early June and lasts till the end of September. This is a period of cool and damp climate. The months of October and November constitute the post monsoon or the north-west monsoon season and this period witnesses a gradual rise in day temperatures and a substantial amount of rainfall as well. The winter season covers the period fi-om December to mid February. While Channagiri and Honnali blocks coming under Malnad area, have hot summer, pleasant winter and good monsoon, Davangere and Harihar have hot summer, pleasant winter and average rainfall. Harapanhalli and Jagalur blocks have very hot summer, very low rainfall and a pleasant winter. Year wise rainfall received during the last 0 years in the district is shown in the Table 3.7 Table 3.7 Taluk wise rainfalls for the last 0 years Year Normal Davangere Harihar Source : Kamataka at a Glance Honnali Taluk Chennagiri Harapan ahalli Jagalur District Davangere district receives average annual rainfall of 644 mm and within the district the quantum of rainfall and the average number of rainy days decreases as one move from South to North. During the southwest monsoon season percent of the annual rainfall precipitates. There are 40 rain gauge stations in the district. 58

12 3.0 Irrigation There is indisputable evidence that irrigated land leads to increased productivity and it is a necessary input to the high yield varieties developed during the Green Revolution. Increased supply of irrigation water has been instrumental in feeding the rapidly increasing population of the country for the last 50 years. There is evidence in many regions that employment opportunities have increased after the development of irrigation systems. Irrigation facilities have also improved living standards in many parts of the country. Thus, irrigation is an important indicator of rural development. The net area irrigated by different sources in Davangere district as well as in Kamataka state is given in the table 3.8. The percentage of net sown area irrigated by different sources is considerably more in Davangere district (37.75) compared to the state position (29.6). Bore wells and canals accounts for higher proportion of total net area irrigated in the district compared to that in the overall state. Bore wells by accounting for percent of total net area irrigated in the district constitute the major source of irrigation. Canals forms the another important source of irrigation and their share in total net area irrigated in the district is 4.23 percent. Wells and Tanks as source of irrigation in the district are not as important as in the overall state. Though the bore wells contributed significantly to the irrigation facilities in the district their contribution to the overall sustainable rural development is a debatable issue. As per ground water resource estimation studies, the district is over exploited with groundwater (Government of India, 2008). Therefore water table has been deflating and a large number of bore well failures has been reported in the study area. Further, bore well failure is reported to be one of the reasons for increasing fanners' suicide in the district. 59

13 Table 3.8 Area under Irrigation Source of Irrigation Canals Tanks Wells Bore wells Lift Irrigation Other Sources Total Net Area Irrigated Percentage of Net Sown area irrigated Source: Karnataka at a Glance Davangere District Area Percentage Karnataka State Area Percentage Flora and Fauna The district is deficient in forest wealth. Out of the total geographical area of 5.97 lakh hectares, the area covered under forest in Davangere district is only 0.87 lakh hectares, forming 5 per cent (State average of about 6 per cent) as against 33 per cent required. Wasteland accounts for 6 per cent (0.34 lakh hectares) and out of this 968 hectares is cultivable wasteland. Government land/uncultivated land accounts for 8 per cent (0.48 lakh hectares) of total geographical area. The existing tree cover has diminished, leading to soil erosion, wind erosion, stream erosion etc. The growth of this sector is hampered in the absence of proper extension services and also lack of awareness of about commercial viability and social benefits of the sector. Social forestry is taken up by the Department of Forests on the waste lands owned by the Government. The revenue land identified by the department for development of social forestry is about 6000 hectares leaving aside the pastures and groove, the land owned by individuals which would be available for forestry and wasteland development activities on a long term potential is estimated to be hectares in the district. 60

14 3.2 Cropping Pattern The main food crops are paddy, maize and ragi while the important commercial crops are sugarcane, chilly, onion, and cotton. The net sown area of 3.84 lakh hectares constitutes about 64 per cent of the geographical area which is far higher than the State average of 55 percent. The gross cropped area is 4.8 lakh hectares. Cereals occupy about 76 per cent followed by pulses 6 per cent, oilseeds 2 per cent, and commercial crops 6 per cent. Paddy, ragi, maize and jowar are grown in all the taluks. About 82 per cent of the total cropped area is under food crops. Cash crops such as sugarcane, onion, chilly, cotton and plantation crops i.e., arecanut and coconut are also grown in 8 percent of the total cultivated area. Fruit crops and sericulture is gaining popularity in the district. 3.3 Plantation and Horticulture Davangere district possesses the agro climatic conditions suitable for raising a variety of plantation and horticulture crops. The malnad area and the traditional zone of the district comprising of Channagiri, Honnali, Davangere and Harihar are well suited for growing fruit crops such as banana, mango, papaya, coconut, arecanut, etc. Aromatic plants, spice crops and medicinal plants can also be grown commercially in this belt. Growth of the plantation and horticulture sector, a labour intensive one, is crucial for the development of district economy as it can absorb the rural labour. Further, this sector also provides raw materials for the agro based and processing industries. Arecanut and coconut are the major plantation crops grown in the district. Mango, sapota, pomegranate, banana, etc., are the major fruit crops. Oil palm, cashewnut, cardamom and vanila are fruit crops such fig (anjura), pomegranate, papaya etc. 6

15 3.4 Animal Husbandry Animal husbandry, is by and large, regarded as an adjunct to agriculture. Every cultivator's household usually posses at least a pair of bullocks. Quite large proportions among them possess a few cows, one or two buffaloes, a few sheep and goats as well. Poultry keeping is also quite popular in the rural as well as in the urban areas. An idea regarding the livestock wealth of the district may be had from the following Table 3.9 Table 3.9 Live stocks and poultry population SI. No Cattle Buffaloes Sheep Goats Pigs Poultry Others Category Source: Livestock Census, Numbers 3,5,050 2,20,470 2,05,348,3,329 3,00 5,27, Administration Davangere district is the one of the 30 districts of the State of Kamataka with its headquarters located in Davangere town. The taluk wise details are provided in the Table 3.0. Deputy Commissioner is the head of the district administration -general, revenue, and development. As a District Magistrate he is responsible for maintenance of law and order in the district. Davangere district is divided in to 6 taluks namely Davangere, Harihar, Honnali, Channagiri, Harapanahalli and Jagalur under the charge of Tahsildars which are grouped into two revenue sub-divisions namely Davangere and Harapanahalli under the charge of Assistant Commissioner with headquarters at Davangere and Harapanhalli respectively. 62

16 Table 3.0 Taluk wise number of villages, towns, area, population and density SI. No Name of Taluk No. of villages No.of Towns Area (sq. km) Population (200 census) Male Female Total Density per sq km Davangere Harihar Honnali Channagiri Harapanahalli Jagalur TOTAL Four taluks namely Davangere, Harihar, Honnali and Channagiri come under Davangere Sub-division, and two taluks namely Harapanhalli and Jagalur taluks come under Harapanhalli Sub-division. These six taluks are in turn divided into 267 revenue circles. The district has 98 villages and 6 towns including Davangere and Harihar city municipal councils. As provided in the Kamataka Panchayat Raj Act 993 the district is divided into 230 gram panchayats. The talukawise distribution of villages, revenue circles, towns and gram panchayats are shown in Table 3. Table 3. Talukawise number of villages, revenue circles, towns, and gram panchayats SI. No. 2 Name of Taluk Davangere Harihar Inhabited No. of villages Uninhabited 3 09 Total No of revenue circles No.of hoblies 3 2 No.of Towns 0 0 No of Gram Panchayat Honnali Channagiri Harapanahalli Jagalur TOTAL

17 3.6 Economic Position of Davangere District The economic status of a particular region depends on many factors, but per capita income and Human Development Index (HDI) are the better indicators of economic position of a district. Per capita income of Davangere district at current price during was Rs.20,374 where as it was Rs.26,05 for the overall state. Davangere district obtained * rank in the Kamataka state with respect to per capita income. Similarly with HDI value of 0.64 the district stood at 2* rank. Thus, the economic position of the district is at average level. 3.7 Summary From the above details some important points which are relevant to the present study can be derived. > Majority of the population is concentrated in the rural areas (67.7 percent) > Female population is 49.2 percent > Female participation in the work is very less (30. percent) compared to the male counterparts (56.7 percent). > Majority of the working women are doing agriculture labour work (56.2 percent of working women) compared to participation in cultivation (20 percent of working women) It clearly indicates the low economic status among women. > Relatively higher proportion of SC and ST are living in the district. r- The literacy rate among rural women in the district is found to be very low. > The percentage of net sown area irrigated by different sources is percent > Irrigated agriculture land is more in Harihara and Davangere taluks compared others, whereas dry land agriculture is dominated in Jagalur and Harapanahalli taluks. Based on the above observations DaN angere district has been chosen as study area for the present work. 64