Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

the comparison of 1905 and 1935 surveys, which showed that the actual paddy cropping
areas did not increase substantially, while the parambas expanded by converting dry
lands.
Although we have information on the extent of the holdings, there is no clear information
on the nature of the use of land. One interesting indication is given by the available
information on the livestock of the region. As an illustration, the figures of livestock for
three desams during the beginning of twentieth century and 1929-30 are given below.
Note that the agricultural stock included the number of carts and ploughs.
Table XLVI
Agricultural Vallikkunnu Thenhippalam Olakara
stock 1900 1930 1900 1930 1900 1930
Bullocks 1684 445 1310 875 1068 452
and He-
Buffaloes
Cows 834 607 365 545 688 323
She-
Buffaloes
- 7 3 28 20 21
Young
Stock
575 371 248 376 572 178
Sheep and
Goats
98 552 322 855 254 783
Ploughs 464 243 N/A 476 612 233
Source: compiled from surveys of 1905 and 1935; Kerala state archives, Calicut
The figures are interesting in several respects. One is the decline in the number of
bullocks and he-buffaloes in the three Desams. There is a corresponding decline of cows,
with the exception of Thenhippalam, where the number of cows appears to be increasing.
There is an absolute increase of sheep and goats everywhere. Finally there is a decline in
the number of ploughs. Decline of bullocks together with the decline of ploughmen may
signify an absolute decline in the number of ploughmen also, which signifies the decline
of wetland agriculture. It is possible that the number of smallholders is not cultivating
their lands and taking the maximum number of crops, or is shifting to paramba