BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF RANCHI DISTRICT

 Area                                                Ranchi district is one of the oldest district of east wile Bihar , with the formation of new Jharkhand state it has assumed grcalr importance on the state capital. It has a geographical area of 7,59,250 hectare.

 Agro climatic condition                    The district may be divided in two plateaus. The first of there plateaus comprising greater Part of the district includes nearly the whole of sader sub-division and western part of Khunti district. The seconds and the lower plateaus consists of the extreme eastern and the southern portion the district.                                                         

                                                           The mean daily maximum And minimum temperature varies between 290c And 180c respectively. The average annual Rainfall is about 1100 mm post monsoon is 98mm., winter rain is 65mm and premonsoon is 121 mm.  The boundry of Ranchi district is as follows. South-Khunti, North-Ramgarh and Chhatra, East-West Bengal . And Saraikela,West-Palamu, Lohardaga and Gumla.. The district is characterised by undualaling topography. Its soil is red, yellow, Light grey and acidic in nature.

Populations                                  The district has a population of 27,83,577 out of which rural population is  72.13%.The tribe populations accounting of 45.78% and scheduled caste about 5.3%.Litreacy is about 65.69% of the rural populations 57.16% is Tribal populations.

Land Use Pattern                         The total geographical area of the district is 7,598,250 Hect.Net area shown is 276091 hectrs. Area under double crop is 6%.The forest cover is about 18% of the total geographical area. Mono cropping is the mainstay due to inadequate development of irrigation. Now of course it is set to follow a different trend slowly.

Operational  Holding                   Out of total operational holding of 244,013 in the district 72% are owned by small and marginal farmers accounting 24% of the total geographical  area. 48% of the small and marginal farmer belongs to tribal community. The average size of holding of small and marginal farmers is 0.62 hactr.

River System                             Subernarekha and koel are the principal rivers in the district.

                                                            Only 24% of ground water resources is utilized whereas there is huge untapped ground water potential .Similarly the surface water is plenty. It need proper planning for the creation and efficient utilization for increasing the irrigated area and Agriculture production. Specially the second crop (Rabi).

 Agricultural overview                  The mainstay of the district is agriculture and allied activities and 80% of the inhabitants depend on then for main livelihoods. Practically all the cultivated area is mono cropped and rainfed. The major reasons for poor productivity and lack of availability of high yielding seed, lack of scientific inputs and improved  equipment and lack of Agricultural credit. The Major crops grown in this district are Rice, Pulses, Oilseeds and vegetables.