SOLAPUR

The district, located in southern Maharashtra, falls under a rain shadow region and receives irregular rainfall, primarily from the southwest and retreating monsoons. According to locals, this unpredictability has led many farmers to rely on animal husbandry as a supplementary source of income. Goats, cattle, buffaloes, and sheep are the most commonly reared livestock. In Karmala and Barshi, people mostly raise cattle, followed by buffaloes and sheep.

Locals say goats are well-suited to the region’s dry and extreme climate, as they can thrive in thorny forests with minimal fodder. Goats are commonly raised in Madha, Malshiras, Pandharpur, Mohol, North and South Solapur, Sangola, Mangalwedha, and Akkalkot. Breeds include Osmanabadi, Sangamneri, Sirohi, Beetal, and local varieties, mainly reared for meat and milk.

The district is known for its indigenous Khilar cattle, which locals praise for their strength and endurance. A single pair of Khilari bullocks is said to perform the work of two pairs of local bullocks. The breed is also valued for breeding purposes, with varieties such as Deshi, Lamani, Malwa, Sorti, and Gokaki.

Buffalo farming is also significant, with Pandharpuri buffaloes being the most prominent breed. According to farmers, these buffaloes, along with Jafrabadi, Mehsana, and Nagpuri breeds, are known for their high milk yield and are often called the “poor man’s buffalo.”

Solapuri (Sangola) sheep are mainly reared for wool, but locals say income from meat production is higher than from wool. Wool is primarily used for local products like ghongadi, jen, and blankets. Though the sheep population is smaller compared to other livestock, it remains an important part of animal husbandry in the district.

Poultry farming is primarily seen in Kurduwadi and Madha taluka. Farmers say that livestock supervisors at centres in Solapur and Sangola provide training on cost-effective, modern poultry-rearing methods.

In the past, farmers built animal shelters using local materials like wooden poles, clay bricks, and sugarcane leaves. According to locals, these structures were weak and often collapsed in bad weather, requiring frequent repairs. Mud floors retained moisture, creating unsanitary conditions that led to disease outbreaks among animals and humans.

Today, livestock housing prioritises durability, cleanliness, and productivity. Concrete floors and walls, sloped surfaces for drainage, and sturdy roofs reduce maintenance and disease risks. Locals say these improvements have led to healthier animals, lower vet bills, and increased productivity.

Traditionally, cattle, sheep, and goats grazed on natural pastures, with stored fodder like hay and straw used in winter. Feeding relied on local crop residues, and livestock breeds were adapted to minimal supplementation. According to farmers, modern practices now emphasise balanced nutrition with formulated diets, including grains, proteins, vitamins, and supplements to boost growth and efficiency.

The White Revolution transformed dairy farming, with Solapur adopting cross-breeding techniques to improve milk yields. Locals recall how Holstein-Friesian and Jersey breeds were introduced, alongside better feed, healthcare, and housing, significantly boosting milk production in the region.

Technology has further modernised livestock rearing. Automated feeding systems, sensor-operated water taps, and milking machines have replaced manual methods, improving efficiency and hygiene. According to farmers, automatic grooming machines now help maintain animal cleanliness with minimal effort, reflecting the broader shift toward mechanised livestock management.

Forest lands in Solapur district are primarily bushlands, offering limited grazing for livestock. According to locals, most animals depend on fodder from fields, with climate, soil, topography, and vegetation playing key roles in fodder availability. Grazing lands are more common in Sangola, Karmala, Malshiras, Mohol, and Pandharpur, while Barshi, North and South Solapur, Madha, Mangalwedha, and Akkalkot have fewer such areas.

Crop residues are the main source of fodder, with grazing occurring on various land types, including forest land, cropped land, culturable wasteland, and fallow land. During the monsoon, natural grasslands along roadsides, riverbanks, and canals provide additional fodder, though locals say these are insufficient compared to the livestock population. The Boramani grassland in Solapur South tehsil remains a key grazing area for the pastoral community, with shepherds settling within the grassland.

Villagers recall that each village once had designated gairans (grazing lands), but these have drastically declined due to urbanisation and encroachments. Locals say many gairan lands are now converted into housing or taken over beyond permissible limits. Farmers and pastoralists, particularly Dhangars, face increasing conflicts over shrinking grazing areas. The expansion of agriculture and industries has further restricted traditional grazing routes, making it difficult for pastoralists to sustain their herds.

The district experiences low rainfall and frequent droughts, leading to poor soil quality and limited irrigation facilities. According to locals, these factors have contributed to the underdevelopment of agriculture in the region. The landscape consists of small forests with short, thorny vegetation, which residents say makes the land more suitable for sheep and goat farming rather than traditional crop cultivation. As a result, many people, particularly in the eastern part of the district, depend on sheep farming for their livelihoods.

The Dhangar, Laman, Ramoshi, and Kurub communities are actively involved in pastoral activities, with the Dhangars being the most prominent group engaged in livestock herding. Locals state that the Dhangar community has long practised sheep and goat herding, following a migratory pattern in search of adequate grass and water. They travel seasonally, moving away from their hometowns to areas with better resources during the rainy season and returning in winter. Their migration follows traditional routes that, according to elders, have been in use for generations, often connecting them to villages where they have historical ties.

According to Dhangar herders, they hold a unique reverence for wolves, whom they consider sacred. Despite the threat wolves pose to their sheep and dogs, they refrain from harming them, believing that their presence helps prevent disease among livestock. As part of their customs, locals say that Dhangars feel obligated to share a portion of their sheep with the wolves. They divide their herd into three parts: one for the wolves, another for losses due to thieves or disease, and the remaining portion for themselves.

Farmers and pastoralists have historically maintained a mutually beneficial relationship, but according to local accounts, changes in cropping patterns and land use have begun to disrupt this balance. The competition for grazing land has increased, as both communities rely on these areas for economic survival. With urbanisation encroaching on these lands and agricultural practices becoming more mechanised, locals believe that the Dhangar community's traditional way of life is increasingly under threat.

In the district of Solapur, the veterinary infrastructure is spread across various talukas, supporting animal health and breeding efforts. Some of the veterinary facilities in the district include :

• District Veterinary Polyclinic, Market Yard
• Dr. Pet Hub, Jule, Solapur
• Animal Hospital, Kumar Swamy Nagar

According to the Solapur District Gazetteer, 1977, the Bhima River served as a major source of fluvial water in the district, along with its right-bank tributaries, the Nira and the Man, and left-bank feeders, the Sina and the Bhogawati. At the time, 18 irrigation tanks were covering a total area of 7,652 hectares, which provided scope for the development of fisheries. Additionally, the Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayats managed 29 tanks, spanning a total area of 62 acres. Most of these were seasonal, but the perennial tanks had been surveyed and were being developed for fisheries. Within municipal limits, there were eight tanks, collectively covering 168 hectares. The total lentic water area in the district was recorded as 7,882 hectares.

Fish caught from the district's riverine sources primarily included species such as Labeo fimbriatus, various catfish, and other local minor fishes. Major carps like Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), and Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) were present in limited quantities, particularly in the Sina River. The significant fish species naturally occurring in the district’s water bodies included various carps such as Puntius jerdoni and Labeo boga, catfish like Wallago attu and Mystus cavasius, snake-headed fishes including Channa marulius and Channa gachua, as well as spiny eels such as Mastocembelus armatus.

Fishing crafts in the district included hodis, which were flat-bottom wooden dinghies, and rafts made from tins, drums, or wooden planks. Another commonly used floating device was the sangadi, made by joining two tins with a plank. The fishing gear used by local fishermen consisted of various types of nets. Cast nets, such as Pagir or Phek Jal, were circular nets with a mesh size ranging from 1.25 cm to 3.8 cm and were widely used in shallow waters. Drag nets, including Pati Jal and Pandi Jal, were large nets operated by multiple people, with the latter featuring a pouch in the centre. Gill nets, like Phasali Jal, Kandali Jal, and Bhushi Jal, were used for surface fishing and were made from cotton or nylon twine, with differences in mesh size and sinking mechanisms. Bag nets, such as Bichari Jal and Khor Jal, were employed in shallow waters, either manually dragged or tied to poles in flowing water. Additionally, fishing was also carried out using hooks and lines.

During the time of the gazetteer's publication, synthetic twines like nylon and terephthalate had begun to replace cotton twine in net fabrication. Although synthetic materials were more expensive, they were significantly more durable and resulted in better fish catch. To encourage their adoption, fishermen were provided subsidies.

The district had a total of 1,399 fishermen, of whom 717 were engaged in full-time fishing, while 682 pursued it part-time. The majority of the fishing community comprised the Kahar and Pardeshi Bhoi communities. Many of them supplemented their income by preparing chana futana and murmura and cultivating watermelons.