Major Crops
A number of crops are grown in Pabal, including peanuts, lentils, onions, potatoes and other vegetables.
Cash Crops vs. Subsistance Farming
Crops are often passed down through generations, and many people rely on agriculture for their livelihood. There are not many cash crops, because there is a lack of water that limits the amount that can be grown. Also, the revenue is unreliable because it is difficult to determine prices in advance. Prices are likely to be higher if the crops can be sold in Pune or Mumbai rather than in Pabal, but then the farmer must deal with transportation issues. However, some have jobs in the village and only farm during the monsoon season when fields can bring in extra money.
Technology
Larger farms use tractors from Pune or Vigyan Ashram, but smaller areas, 1-2 acres, use bulls. The traditional plow is called a Perniyantra for
peanuts, and has four fingers that dig into the earth. It could be made of wood or metal,
but always has metal tips.
Farming Process and Irrigation
The field is ploughed twice in a 10-day period just before sowing. Some fields have a well and an irrigation system that works by pumping water out of the well.
Related Businesses
Two agricultural related businesses have been started - they are workshops that make agricultural products aimed at creating more efficient plowing and sowing mechanisms.
