Climatic conditions of Jawhar..

Agro-climatic condition

 State of Maharashtra has been subdivided into nine  different agro-climatic zones due to regional variations in rainfall, soil, temperature, cropping pattern, natural flora etc. Jawhar is the component of North Konkan Coastal Agro Climatic Zone. The salient features are presented in Table No. 1 and description of Agro eco-system.

Table No. 1: Salient Features of Agro Climatic Conditions at Jawhar

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Sl.No.  Agro-Climatic Component                                                       Description

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Average Rainfall and number of Rainy Days            2263 mm and 110-120 respectively

2. Potential Cropping Period.                                        150-180 days.

3. Kharif Temperatur e (Min and Max)                           22.7 C & 32.8 C respectively.

4. Rabi Temperature (Min and Max)                             14.7 C & 33.0 C respectively.

5. Summer Temperature (Min and Max)                       23.9 C & 35.0 C respectively.

6. Humidity % (Kharif, Rabi & Summer)                        82.75, 61.75 & 42.25 respectively.

7. Soil type with depth and slope.                                  Stony (3”, 5%), Sandy Loam (6”-8”,

                                                                                           5-10%), Clay Loam (12”-18”, 0-1%)

8. Electrical Conductivity of soil.                                     0.00365 mm hos, Acidic.

9. P2O5/100 gm. soil                                                       6.7, Medium High.

10. K2O/100 gm. Soil 23.30 Medium High.                  23.30 medium high

11. Soil Erodibility.                                                           e    &  e   due to high average  and high rainfall.

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Description of Agro -eco System in Jawhar Taluka

           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Sl.No.  Land Stretch                         Kharif                                                          Rabi

           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Upland                                                Natural Grasses and Trees                                        NIL

                                                                 e.g. Ain, Teak, Sadada and Khair

2. Slopy Land                                         Nagali, Varai, Blackgram, Tuar, Cowpea,                NIL

                                                                 Khurasani, Jowr, Ambadi as mixed cropping             

3  low land                                             Paddy & Very little Moranthus                                      NIL

  Soil is reddish in colour, light, with very poor water retention capacity.  Lands are mostly sloping

About 95% production is Jawhar block is agro based.  However, crops are not sufficient to garner any notable monetary gains.  
The cultivation is undertaken with limited objectives of satisfying family needs of food.  It is undertaken with wholly traditional means using wooden plough, Aathwal, Kudal etc.

using artificial chemical based pesticides, seeds and fertilizers.  
Land parching to eradicate weeds in subsoil zone of farm is common practice by utilizing natural grasses, forest litter, paddy waste etc. in summer.

Jawhar taluka comprises about 6800 ha reserved forest area.  Natural forest cover is fast dwindling and accordingly income from forest produce is also accordingly reducing.  This has compelled the native tribal communities to contemplate over other sources of income.  The natural forest comprise medicinal herbs and plants in addition to canopy commercial trees like Teak, Ain, Khair, Koshim, Hirda, Kahandol etc.  However, this indigenous flora is utilized limitedly for supplementary income.  
Minor forest produce like gum, honey, lac, fruit etc. generate almost negligible income for natives.

To prevent and compensate for dwindling forest cover, Department of Social Forestry had initiated plantation programmes over village waste lands, Gram Panchayat, School areas.  Trees like Acacia, Gulmohar, Glyricidia etc. suffice mere vegetation rather than any proposed commercial output.