Chaugaon - Economy

Economy

Chaugaon has a farming economy, traditional crops include millet, coconut, cotton, bhuimug (ground nut), jowar, onion and wheat. Farmers rely on rain water as well as water from rivers for farming needs.

As there is limited scope for irrigation water availability from state managed irrigation facilities numbering three ; first the minor irrigation tank on Iraas river (Hiraasan as per the state records ), the second, percolation tank on Waghhad stream and the third, percolation tank on Bhalkhai stream all within the village limits; the villagers have invested their own money in creating water availability for irrigation by way of digging up wells wherever underground water is available and pumping the water up to their farms. At times the water is available at distance of 4 to 6 kilometers away.

Farmers from Chaugaon on their own; not with any support from the government funding, have taken up land development works to bring more fallow land under cultivation over period of last two decades. This activity is still going on during 2010. These land developmental works include leveling, terracing, bunding, nalla (small streams) training etc.

Advanced farming techniques like improved seeds, drip irrigation, chemical and organic fertilizers are used. In the last few years, horticulture has been used more often for growing sitafal, dalimb and papaya.

Such entrepreneurship have led to increase in the all round agricultural products output. And also one can see cultivation of crops of commercial nature like floriculture, and horticulture.

During last 5 years there is shortage of farm laborers in the village as the demand has gone up steadily, due to increase in area under irrigation. This has led to increase in wage rates and laborers from other adjoining villages viz. Paalad, Ajnale,and Mehergaon, are being called to overcome the labor shortage. There is also spurt in demand for farm yard manure as many farmers practice organic farming to a great extent. Chaugaon is an example in Dhule Taluka to showcase the incremental benefits of irrigation.

Dairying is another major economic activity of the village. Traditionally it was the profession of Gawali community over decades. But other communities have also taken up to dairying. Buffaloes are reared for milk . The milk is mostly sold to traders from Dhule city, who also finance for buying the buffaloes.

Chaugaon farming economy is included in the states income & expenditure accounts. As for budget year 2007-2008 this village had accounted for an income of Rs. 1,709,000.00 whereas the total expenditure was Rs. 1,448,000.00.