For economic development, the first program taken up in Ralegan was that of environment regeneration. Harvesting of all the rainwater within the boundaries of Ralegan was undertaken through watershed development i.e. by percolation tank, contour bunding, construction of check-dams (nullah bundings) and large scale tree plantation. These programs revitalised the existing well in the village. Many new wells were dug and utilization of water was regulated through six co-operative irrigation societies. As a result, about 700 acres of land were brought under irrigation. In addition, another 500 acres were brought under irrigation by a lift irrigation scheme from the Kukdi Canal. The area under irrigation is now being expanded further by using drip irrigation techniques. Water from two wells now suffices to irrigate 100 acres of land by drip irrigation, which is five times the area that would have been irrigated by traditional methods.

To take full advantage of extension of irrigation, help was taken of the extension of the State Agriculture Department. Ralegan farmers received help and guidance under the Krishi Pandhari scheme in which the agricultural extension officers pay visits to individual farms and provide guidance and training to the farmers in the field itself.

The farmers started growing high yield varieties of crop and lhe cropping pattern of the village also changed.

Kharif : In 1975-76, 240 hectares were under rainfed Bajra with only 20 hectares of irrigated Bajra. In 1985-86 rainfed Bajra was grown only in 60 hectares whereas 150 hectares were put under high yield Bajra with assured irrigation. Green vegetables were grown only in two hectares in 1975-76. Whereas during 1985-86, 60 hectares were used for growing vegetables. These vegetables found ready markets in Pune and Bombay. There was not much change in the area of oilseeds production. However, in 1985-86, irrigation was extended to 15 more hectares of land under oilseed crops thus increasing the oilseed production.

Rabi: In 1975-76 rainfed Jowar was grown in 320 hectares and Jowar in 50 hectares was irrigated whereas in 1985-86 Jowar with irrigation was grown in 250 hectares whereas rainfed Jowar was grown only in 90 hectares. During the same period rainfed wheat decreased from 12 hectares to 7 hectares and irrigated area under wheat grew from 1 hectare to 23 hectares. For oilseeds the irrigated area grew from nil to 17 hectares and rainfed crop area declined from 30 hectares to 10 hectares. Vegetable production during Rabi period particularly received a boost, increasing from 3 hectares to 25 hectares.

As a result of these changes total agricultural production went up from 294.3 tonnes in 1975-76 to 1386.2 tonnes in 1985-86. At current prices it meant an increase from Rs. 3.46 lakh to Rs. 31.73 lakh i.e. 4.7fold increase in quantity and a 9-fold increase invalue.

Milk Production

As a secondary occupation, milk production was promoted in Ralegan. Purchase of new cattle and improvement of the existing breed with the help of artificial insemination and timely guidance and assistance by the veterinary doctor has resulted in an improvement in the cattle stock. The milk production has also increased. Crossbred cows are replacing the local ones which give a low milk yield. The number of milch cattle has also been growing. In 1987 there were 574 milch cattle (including 65 cross-bred cows) as compared to 255 in 1981. Around 350 litres of milk were collected per day and sent to a co-operative dairy in Ahmednagar. Some milk is also given to Balwadi children in Ralegan and in Pimpalner, a neighbouring village under the child nutrition program sponsored by the Zilla Parishad.

From the surplus generated, the milk society bought a mini-truck and a thresher. The mini-truck besides transporting milk to Ahmednagar is also used for taking vegetahles and other produce directly to the market, thus eliminating intermediate agents. The thresher is rented out to the farmers during the harvesting season.

Grain Bank

The village also runs a grain bank, collecting small contributions from farmers having surplus production. This ensures subsidized supply of foodgrains to the farmers having deficient production. The grain bank also helps in preventing distress sale of grain at a low price at the time ol harvest and purchase at a higher price from the market during the lean period before the next crop. In 1975-76 only 20 guintals of foodgrain were collected during the year whereas this collection increased to 40 quintals in 1985-86.

Secondary occupations like poultry farming were also encouraged, but with limited success. Out ot the 10 persons who received training only one person was actually running a poultry successfully. Traditional artisans were assisted by subsidies and bank loans to improve the income generating capacity of their traditional occupations. There has been visible improvement in their living standards too.

Another factor that has contributed substantially to the increase in the living standards ot Ralegan people has been the
repatriation of large incomes trom the people who have been able to find better jobs in larger numhers because of better educational qualifications/standards. In 1975-76 only 20 persons were in jobs with an average earning of Rs. 200 per month whereas in 1985-86 . over 90 persons were earning an average of Rs. 1000 p.m. in their city jobs.

Like most villagers do, the people of Ralegan are also seen to have invested their initial increase in income into improving their agricultural base. Buying a pump, PVC pipeline for irrigation, a pair of bullocks, cross-bred cows come first. Improvement in nutrition, education of children and seeking immediate treatment of ailment has developed simultaneous to the growth of incomes. Improvement in houses comes next. Initially only 2-3 households who had some of their earning members in the city undertook renovation of their house. Later, one could see many more new houses being constructed.

A stage is now set for development of secondary job opportunities through industrialization in the village so that the educated and trained youth can find gainful employment in the village itself instead of migrating to urban slums. All the traditional occupations have been helped to grow with financial assistance from banks. People have been trained in some new trades like sewing and raising of poultry. A Khadi unit is also being started with 25 six-spindle charkhas and 5 handlooms. A masala pounding and packing unit is also being planned. Chillies have been planted in 80 acres of land to provide raw material for this unit. The village is moving in the direction of becoming self-sufficient along Gandhian lines, where all the basic needs of the village population will be met from the production units in the village itself. Agro-based processing industries will lay the foundation of industrialisation in Ralegan and Anna Hazare proclaims that nothing except common salt will have to be bought from outside to satisfy the basic needs of the people of Ralegan.
 
 
 
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