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Economy The main occupation of the
people is agriculture. Majuli has a rich and diverse agricultural
tradition, growing as many as a hundred different varieties of rice,
all without any kind of artificial fertilizer or pesticide. Though
productivity is low, most people manage to produce enough for their
own needs, depending little on the market. Among the interesting
varieties of rice produced are koomol saool, a rice that can be
eaten just after immersing in warm water for fifteen minutes or so,
like a breakfast cereal - bao dhan, that stays under water, and is
harvested after ten months; bora, a sticky rice that is used to make
the traditional peetha, a cake/sweet made during the spring
festivals of Bihu.
They cultivate both Rabi and Kharif crops. In case of Kharif crop
cultivators were uncertain due to flood inundation till construction
of embankment, which now have protected the crops from floods where
no breach opening is there. The Rabi crop is more successful and
people are very such dependant on it. Main crops grown in Majuli are
Rice (summer, autumn and winter), Maize, Wheat, other Cereals, Black
Gram, Vegetables, Fruits, other food crops, Cotton, Jute, Castor,
Sugar Cane etc.
LAND CLASSIFICATION
|
Total net area sown |
30,584.00 Hectares. |
|
Current Fallow |
3,745.00 Hectares |
|
Old fallow |
902,00 Hectares |
|
Cultivable Waste |
4,621.00 Hectares |
|
Land put to non-agricultural uses |
75,943.00 Hectares |
|
Barren and uncultivable land |
7,461.00 Hectares |
|
Permanent Pasture and Grazing Land |
544.00 Hectares. |
|
Forest |
Nil |
|
Misc. Tree crops and groves not included
above |
800.00 |
Other occupations:
Pisciculture :
(Estt. Turnover Rs. 6-10 crores p.a.) There are more than
60 large water bodies (Beels) with very rich catch of fish that
provides livelihood to large number of Majuli inhabitants apart from
generating substantial revenue for the Govt./Local bodies
Pottery :
Majuli is famous for Potteries in entire valley for design
and quality of their products and artifacts and are made in a
process tracing back to Egyptian and Harappan civilozation.
Boat making :
Being a flood prone, rain fed and water Logged area where water
transport is the only mode of transportation, the boat making is an
age-old traditional business. Around 3000 families are dependent on
this trade.
Cattle farming/Dairy :
Having huge pastureland cattle farming and dairying is one of the
major source of livelihood of the people.
Handicrafts/furniture making :
Bamboocraft and cane works are main handicraft trades.
Handloom:
Women of Majuli are expert weavers and weave their own cloths.
Mishing women make a world famous fabric called "Mirizim" which is
known for exotic designs and pleasing colour combination.
They weave exquisite varieties and textures of
silk and cotton. Every woman on the island, whether Mising or
non-tribal, is an expert weaver, though like the agriculture, this
is non-commercial, mostly just for the home.
Horticulture :
With fertile land and suitable climatic condition, Horticulture is
area of the economy, yet mostly non-commercial.
Sericulture :
Around 20 village entirely depends on Sericulture by producing raw
silk, endi as well as value added products.
Mineral Resources :
It has been reported that oil India Ltd., has discovered oil in two
wells in the Island thereby, enhancing the existing economic
importance of this Island. This will mean, seriousness in protecting
the Island with utmost urgency.
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