Changes in Cropping Pattern in Shahjahanpur District- Uttar Pradesh
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International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment 2019; 1(1): 41-47 P-ISSN: 2706-7483 E-ISSN: 2706-7491 IJGGE 2019; 1(1): 41-47 Changes in cropping pattern in shahjahanpur district- Received: 19-05-2019 Accepted: 23-06-2019 Uttar Pradesh Nida Bee Research Scholar, Department Nida Bee and Dr. Fazlur Rahman of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India Abstract Agriculture plays a vital role in the economic development of the country where about 70 percent of Dr. Fazlur Rahman the population is directly or indirectly depends on agricultural activities. The agriculture sector is still Assistant Professor, the major source of livelihood for the population of Shahjahanpur district. With the advancement of Department of Geography, new agricultural strategy, there has been a complementary relationship between the commercialization Aligarh Muslim University and cropping pattern of the state. The present study aims that understanding the dynamics of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India agricultural development by utilizing the secondary sources of data which is collected from various government publications. The area under different crops has been analyzed and interpreted through tabulation and simple percentage method. The aim of this paper is to find out the changes in the cropping pattern in Shahjahanpur district. The initial analysis of the data reflects that the farmers are gradually diversifying their farms and intended to shift towards cash crops for the sake of higher returns. The area under commercial crops in the district has been increasing at a higher rate as compared to other food crops. Keywords: Shahjahanpur, cropping pattern, food crops, commercialization Introduction Cropping pattern means the share of area under different crops at a particular period of time. A change in cropping pattern refers to a change in the proportion of area under different crops. Cropping pattern is not static concept it changes over space and time. The cropping pattern of an area is closely associated with the climatic condition, socio cultural, historical, economic and political factors (Hussain M, 2000). Besides these technological factors are also very crucial which govern the cropping pattern of any region. The introduction of Green Revolution in India has modified the cropping pattern by the efficient irrigation system and correct use of fertilizers to boost the crop. Uttar Pradesh is well known for food grains production for a very long time. The change in cropping pattern is basically due to the adoption of new crops and the intensification of cultivation through multiple cropping. Nowadays farmers prefer to move more profitable crops. Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh is famous for wheat, rice, sugarcane, potato. There was a shift of cropping patterns from food grains to commercial crops which may be attributed to the development of infrastructures like irrigation, roads and other facilities (Chinky Sangral, 2015) [2]. For the sake of high-profit farmers are diversifying their cropping system. The diversification of agriculture is an alternative way to enhance productivity and to meet the ever-increasing demand for food grains vegetables fruits etc. It aims to maintain soil health, to promote technological innovation and sustainable agriculture (Bidyut Kumar Ghosh, 2011) [1]. Objectives of the study . To find out the changes in cropping pattern to Shahjahanpur district . To give some suggestions to improve the cropping pattern of the district. The study area Corresponding Author: Shahjahanpur district is a part an of Bareilly division which is situated in south-east of Nida Bee Rohilkhand division. The district lies in 27°35' to 28° 29' N and 79°37' to 80°23' E. It is Research Scholar, Department bounded by Kheri in the east, Hardoiand Farrukhabad in the south, Badaun and Bareilly in of Geography, Aligarh Muslim the west and Pilibhit in the north. The total area of the district is 4575 sq. km (Survey of University Aligarh, Uttar India, 2011) and total population is 3006538 persons, according to 2011 census. The district Pradesh, India ~ 41 ~ International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment http://www.geojournal.net/ Has been divided into four tahsils (subdivisions) namely moving from cereal crops to commercial crops. Powayan, Tilhar, Shahjahanpur, and Jalalabad. These tehsils Mahesh V. (2016) [3] in his study related to cropping patterns are further subdivided into 15 community development found that the area under food crops has been decreasing blocks. The district consists of a narrow plain tract running after the introduction of new agriculture technology but the from the Ganga River to the Himalayas. The region enjoys a areas under cash crops are comparatively high. The farmers tropical monsoon type climate. Major crops of the district prefer higher-value crops. Furthermore, the development of are wheat, sugarcane, rice, potato, etc. the livestock sector is more inclusive and can result in a sustainable agriculture system. Akhter R and Acharya R. (2015) [5] in their work examine that The real difficulty in adopting a better cropping pattern is that farmers may not have enough knowledge about new technology, still, they are applying the traditional methods of agriculture. Another problem is that they do not have adequate amount of capital to invest their crops. The government should take initiatives to solve this problem in better way. Ghost Kumar B. (2011) [1] in his study “Determinant of the changes in cropping pattern in India” has observed that in India there is an urgent need for the introduction of an extension and development package to develop the untouched potential of agriculture in intensification the diversification process of agriculture activities in India. Das (2001) [7] his study “Cropping Pattern (Agriculture and Horticulture) in Different Zones, their Average yields in Comparison to National Average/Critical/reason Identified and yield Potential” studied that cropping patterns of an area is influenced by a number of factors, mainly decided by climatic condition, soil condition. The decision about the Fig 1: Location Map of Study Area choice of crops and cropping systems is further narrowed down under the influence of various other factors related to Database and methodology infrastructure development, socio-economic factors, and The present study is based on secondary sources of data. technological innovation. It has been noticed that more than The data were obtained from the District Statistical 250 double cropping are followed all over the country and Handbook, Census of India, Sankhyakiya Patrika, Different based on rationale of spread of crops in each district in the Journals, Magazines, Articles, Books, etc. The relevant data country 30 cropping systems have been identified. available on different websites were also incorporated into the study. For showing the changes in cropping pattern Result and Discussion simple percentage method and different pictorial diagrams A number of crops are grown in district depending upon the are used. Maps are prepared with the Arcview GIS. agro-climatic conditions of that area. The size of land holdings is also crucial to determine the cropping pattern of Review of Literature an area. In order to understand the changes in the cropping Falguni P. and Sarbeswar M. (2017) [4] in their paper pattern that have been taking place from 2006-07 to 2016- “Changes in cropping pattern in Odisha agriculture in neo- 17, the proportion of the area under crops grown during ten liberal period” observed that due to low level of fertilizers, years has been calculated that is presented in table -1. poor irrigation facilities, low level of infrastructure, poor technology in the state resulted the slow shift in cropping Table 1: Crop-wise Percentage of Area in Shahjahanpur district pattern towards no food grains crop. The slow process of the during 2006-07 and 2016-17 cropping pattern changes means most government efforts to diversify agriculture have failed to take off. Crops 2006-07 2016-17 Changes Vishwanath A. and Talwar S. (2017) [6] in their study Rice 35.58 35.11 -0.47 “Scenario of Cropping Pattern and Crop Diversification: A Wheat 40.90 45.67 4.78 Study of Gokak Taluk in Belgaum District, Karnataka, Pulses 5.24 0.47 -4.78 Oilseeds 4.05 1.48 -2.57 India” found that some technical aspects and Government Sugarcane 6.14 11.97 5.82 policies are influenced to increase production capacity and Vegetables 3.77 2.59 -1.18 diversification of crop combinations. Rational farmers take Others 4.32 2.71 -1.60 all benefits and grown the multiple crops in a year. With the Net Area sown 606626 542693 -64233 advancement of technology, modernization, and changes in Source: Calculated by authors, data obtained from District consumption the major shift occurred in the recent past, Statistical Handbook ~ 42 ~ International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment http://www.geojournal.net/ Fig 2: Crop wise percentage of area in Shahjahanpur district in 2006-07 and 2016-17 It is clear from the above table and figure that the net area was accounted 40.90 percent of total area sown of the sown in Shahjahanpur district is declining during the study district. In 2016-17 the area under wheat has increased i.e. period from 2006-07 to 2016-2017. The total area sown in 45.67 percent of total area of the district. In case of pulses 2006-07 was 606626 hectares which remain 542693hectares there is drastic decrease from 2006-07 to 2016-17. The in 2016-17. It is observed from the table that rice, wheat, sugarcane crop becomes much more prominent as and sugarcane are dominating crops in the district. The area occupying 11.97 percent of the area in 2016-17 and that was under rice cultivation in 2006-07 was 216736 hectares only 6.14 in 2006-07. Positive Change has been taken place which accounted for 35.82 percent of total sown area of the in case of sugarcane crop i.e.