Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No.1 Spring Issue 2017 pp. 52 - 56

Indian Journal of Spatial Science

EISSN: 2249 - 4316 homepage: www.indiansss.org ISSN: 2249 - 3921

A Geographical Analysis of Crop Concentration in the District of ,

Amit Bera Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura University,

Article Info Abstract ______Article History Crop Concentration of various crops was studied in fourteen blocks of during the Received on: year of 2013. In order to determine the block wise concentration of selected crops of Howrah 10 October 2016 district, Bhatia's method is used. All the calculated statistical values have been used to prepare as Accepted inRevised Form on: thematic layers and these maps show the spatial pattern of block wise crop concentration of 20 January 2017 Howrah District. The Crop Concentration was categorized under four sections, like High, AvailableOnline on and from: moderately high, moderately low and Low. Among all the crops, Paddy is the dominating crop of the 23 March 2017 district and it is highly concentrated almost in all the blocks of the district. block ______has high Crop Concentration with crops like Sugarcane, Mustard, Potato and Jute. There was Key Words major concentration of sesame in and Jagatballavpur blocks and High level of wheat Agro-climatic Zones concentration was noticed in -II block. Crop Concentration Index Spatial Disparity Monsoon GIS © 2017 ISSS. All Rights Reserved ______

Introduction jute and sesame (Til) are the major crops while Mustard, Crop concentration means areal density of individual Sugarcane, wheat etc are grown under varying Physio- crop or crop concentration reveals the variation in the climatic situations of the district. density of any crop in a given region at a point of time (Chauhan, 1987). For this purpose, a comparison of the Objectives relative strength of various crops is made by ranking Following objectives have been undertaken for the them (Bhatia, 1965). The spatial variations in the degree study: of crop concentration area are found to be the result of 1. To identify the nature of crop combination in the the different interactions such as physiographic study area climatic, hydrological, socio-economic and 2. Toanalyse the cropping pattern in the study area. technological factors in organization of an area (Surendra, 2015). StudyArea It is a dynamic concept because it changes with space, Howrah District has become one of the agriculturally time, physical as well as cultural and technological predominant districts in West Bengal state covering an factors. Various geographers such as, Chisholm (1962), area of 1467.00 sq km. It is geographically bound by Bhatia (1965), Jasbir Singh (1976) applied different 22˚13′30″N to 22˚46′41″N latitude and 87˚50′54″E to methods to work out the degree of crop concentration in 88˚21′34″E longitudes with an average altitude of 12 a specific region. In this research work, Bhatia's method meters above the MSL (Fig.1). The District has 2 Sub- has been adopted to measure the index of Crop Divisions (Sadar Sub-Division and Sub- concentration in Howrah District. Division), with 14 Development Blocks namely Domjur, Agricultural sector occupies an important place of -I, Amta-II, Uluberia-I, Uluberia-II, Bally-, predominance in the overall economic activities of Jagatballavpur, Bagnan-I, Bagnan-II, Shyampur-I, Howrah district. Paddy (Aus, Aman and Boro), potato, Shyampur-II, , and Udaynarayanpur. www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 52 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No.1 Spring Issue 2017 pp. 52 - 56

Among the urban units, the Howrah Municipal water (River, Canal, Pond) as well as ground water Corporation (HMC) is the most urbanized part, with an resources. In this District, the area under irrigation is area of near about 12785.18 acre. It is one of the oldest 45370 hectares and percentage of irrigated area to urban settlements of eastern India. According to the cultivated area is 54.79%. Irrigation of this study area 2011 Census, the district has a total population of carried on through canals, tank, wells etc. From the 48,50,029 with population density of 3306 inhabitants irrigation map of Howrah district (Figure- 4) it is clear per square kilometre. that, the canal is the most dominating source of irrigation practice in this area. There are so many canals Methodology (khal) like, Rampur khal, Gaighata khal, Rajapur khal The present study is based on the secondary data etc., which play a vital role with regard to irrigation. (statistical handbook 2013 of Howrah District) which has been collected from the Department of Statistics & Result and Discussion Programme Implementation, Government of West Paddy Concentration Bengal. In Pre-field stage some literature concerned Paddy (Oryza sativa ) is the dominating crop of Howrah with the topic (Crop Concentration) has been collected district and it is highly concentrated in all the blocks of and reviewed. In order to determine the block wise the district. The physical environment of this district was concentration of crops, Bhatia's method has been suitable for the Paddy cultivation. The high used— concentration (>1.047) of Paddy was observed in blocks like Uluberia- I, Uluberia- II, Shyampur- I, Crop Concentration Index = (a / b) / (A / B) Shyampur- II, Sankrail Bagnan- I, Bagnan- II, Bally- Jagacha. From the Paddy concentration map (Fig. 6) it Where,a is the area of crop 'a' in the component areal is clear that the area covered by high concentration is unit,b is the area of all crops in the component areal extensive, covering about 60% area of cultivable land. unit, A is the area of crop 'a' in the entire region and B is Amta- I and Jagatballavpur blocks belong to moderately the area of all crops in the entire region. high (0.987-1.047) zone of paddy concentration. On the In the post field stage study related different data are other hand, moderately low concentration (0.693- analyzed through statistical tools and techniques and 0.987) was observed in Panchla, Domjur and Amta- II represented by suitable diagrams. Here, the higher blocks. Lowest concentration (<0.693) was found in index values represent high level of crop concentration Udaynarayanpur block. This Udaynarayanpur Block is and low values show low concentration of crop. situated in the Spillway Zone of the Damodar River. In Morphometric maps have been prepared by using GIS monsoonal season flood is a common natural Platforms likeArc GIS 10.1, Global mapper. phenomenon in this area.As a result, vast area of paddy field is damaged almost every monsoon in this block. Physical andAgro-Climatic Setup of the StudyArea The western portion of Howrah district is drained by Jute Concentration Rupnarayan and Damodar, two major rivers from Jute (Corchorus sp. ) is an important natural fibre crop of Chhotanagpur, as it appears to have an older origin than the district and its highest concentration (4.21) was the eastern tract drained more recently by the Ganga confined into Udaynarayanpur block. Generally Jute is a and Saraswati (CoI, 2011). crop of rainfed region with humid tropical type climates. In Howrah District, monsoon generally sets in at the end For better growth and development, incessant rainfall, of June and continues up to October. Rainfall chart mean relative humidity (60 to 65%), a mean maximum (Fig.2) of Howrah district, shows there was a high and minimum temperature of 35°C and 15°C are variation of rainfall throughout the year. The mean required for Jute crop. Moderately high zone (0.430- annual rainfall is 2025 mm. At the beginning of summer 1.600) of Jute concentration was found in Amta- I, season temperature gradually rises but monsoon Bagnan- II and Domjur blocks. Amta- II block belongs to shower prevents further rising of the temperature. The moderately low (0.114-0.430) zone of Jute average summer temperature usually varies from 26˚c concentration. Comparatively lower concentration to 34˚c, and average winter temperature varies between (<0.114) was found in Jagatballavpur, Uluberia- I, 19˚c to 24˚c (Fig.3). Uluberia- II, Shyampur- I, Shyampur- II, Sankrail, The soils of Howrah district (Fig.5) were formed from the Bagnan- I, Bally-Jagacha, Panchla blocks (Fig.6). fertile riverine alluvium deposits by Ganga River and its major tributaries and sub tributaries. Texture of the soils Potato Concentration of this region is mainly categorized under orders like, Potato (Solanum sp .) is tuberous, cool-season crop Fine, Fine loamy, Coarse loamy, fine-coarse-loamy, and (Rabi crop) of Howrah District. Diversity in Indian potato fine-fine-loamy. The soil is found to be high in nutrient varieties for attributes like adaptability, maturity, quality content, very porous, well drained with high potential for of produce and tolerance to biotic and abiotic factors an intense variety of different agricultural crops like, makes it ideal for inclusion in wide range of cropping Paddy, potato, Jute, Mustard, sesame etc. systems in different agro-climatic conditions (Pandey, The Howrah district is fortunate to have ample surface Singh and Gopal, 2008). Udaynarayanpur block ranks www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 53 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No.1 Spring Issue 2017 pp. 52 - 56 highest in potato concentration and Amta- II belongs to Jagatballavpur block. While moderately high moderately high concentration (0.588-1.080) zone. concentration (0.163-1.346) was experienced in Moderately low zone (0.172-0.588) of Potato Bagnan- I and Amta- II. Moderately low concentration concentration was found in Amta- I and Domjur blocks. (0.010-0.163) was observed in Amta- I and The lowest concentration (<0.172) of Potato was Udaynarayanpur block. Rest of the blocks has low observed in blocks like Jagatballavpur, Uluberia- I, concentration (<0.010) of Sesame cultivation (Fig. 7). Uluberia- II, Shyampur- I, Shyampur- II, Sankrail, Bagnan- I, Bagnan- II, Panchla, Bally-Jagacha (Fig.6). Sugarcane Concentration Sugarcane is(Saccharum a long duration sp.) crop and Mustard Concentration requires 10 to 14 months to mature, depending upon the Mustard ( sp.)Brassica is an annual herb and it is mainly geo-climatic conditions. It requires 75-150 cm rainfall a cool season crop (Rabi crop) that can be grown in a and average 21°-27°C temperature for better growth. short duration growing season. The temperatures The highest concentration (>0.371) of Sugar-cane was between 10°C to 25°C, 65 -100 cm yearly rainfall, well- confined into Udaynarayanpur block. Bally-Jagacha drained loamy soils are the most favorable growing and Sankrail belong to moderately high concentration factors for Mustard cultivation. High concentration (0.097-0.371) zone. Moderately low concentration (0.694-2.820) of Mustard was observed in (0.044-0.097) was observed in Domjur, Panchla, Udaynarayanpur, Amta- II and Amta- I blocks. While Bagnan- I and Bagnan- II. Lowest concentration moderately high concentration (0.083-0.694) was (<0.044) was found in rest of the blocks (Figure- 7). noticed in Jagatballavpur and Bagnan- II. Moderately low concentration (0.016-0.083) is confined into Domjur Conclusion block. The lowest concentration (<0.016) of Mustard The cropping pattern and crop concentration of Howrah was observed in rest of the blocks like Uluberia- I, district is based on the different physical and cultural Uluberia- II, Shyampur- I, Shyampur- II, Sankrail factors like, fertility of the soil, irrigation facilities, Bagnan- I, Bally-Jagacha and Panchla (Fig.6). favorable climatic condition, use of the modern inputs and technology etc. The major rivers and its tributaries Wheat Concentration and distributaries of this district deposits silts and alluvial soils along their banks and those deposits suit Wheat spp.)(Triticum is an important cereal grain in best for the cultivation of different crops. Among the Howrah district. It is mainly a winter crop (Rabi crop) and crops, Paddy is the main crop which is followed by the it requires a moderate cool temperature with moderate other crops like Potato, Jute, and Mustard etc. In case rainfall. High concentration (3.160-4.827) of wheat was of monsoon season, almost every year some of the observed in Bagnan- II block while moderately high blocks like Udaynarayanpur,Amta I,Amta II are affected concentration (0.150-3.160) was experienced in by flood and as a result most of the crops, mainly Paddy Udaynarayanpur and Amta- II. Moderately low becomes damaged. It adversely affects the economic concentration (0.039-0.150) was observed in Bally- condition of farmers and also the degree of crop Jagacha and Sankrail block. Rest of the blocks has low concentration of that region. Moreover, an eco- concentration (<0.039) of wheat cultivation (Fig. 7). sustainable proper agricultural planning scheme needs to be designed for better agricultural cropping output. Khesari Concentration Khesari ( ) isLathyrus the most sativus economically References important annual legume crop of Howrah District. It also 1. Bhatia, S. S. (1965). Patterns of crop concentration improves the nitrogen content of soil, and it grows best and diversification in India. , Economic Geography where the average temperature ranges between 1023 41(1), 39-56. °C and average rainfall is 4065 cm per year. The 2. Census of India 2011. (2011). District Census highest concentration (>1.276) of Khesari is confined Handbook, Haora (Series-20 Part Xii-B). into Panchla block. Similarly moderately high Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. concentration (0.455-1.276) was observed in Sankrail 3. Chauhan, T.S. (1987). Agriculture Geography A block and moderately low concentration (0.064-0.455) Case Study of Rajasthan State. Jaipur: Academic was observed in Bagnan- II block. Lowest concentration Publication. P. 261 (<0.064) was found in rest of the blocks like, 4. Chisholm, M. (1962). Rural settlement and land Jagatballavpur, Uluberia- I, Uluberia- II, Shyampur- I, use: an essay in location (London). Shyampur- II, Bagnan- I, Bally-Jagacha, Amta- I, Amta- 5. Government of West Bengal. (2013). District II, Udaynarayanpur, Domjur (Fig. 7). Statistical Handbook, howrah . Department of Statistics & Programme Implementation. Sesame (Til) Concentration 6. Jasbir Singh (1976) ,TataAgricultural Geography Sesame ) is(Sesamum a drought-tolerant indicum McGraw Hill Publishing Co. Ltd. New Delhi, p. 221 oilseed crop of Howrah District. High concentration 7. Pandey, S. K., Singh, J. P., & Gopal, J. (2008). (>1.346) of Sesame was observed in Domjur and Potato varieties and cropping systems in India. www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 54 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No.1 Spring Issue 2017 pp. 52 - 56

Potato Journal, 35 (3-4). 29-35.Female Migration in India”, Economic and 8. Surendra, P.(2015). Pattern of Crop Concentration Political Weekly, Vol. 15, No. 15, pp. 714-720. in Mandya District. Journal of International Academic Research for Multidisciplinary, 3(10),

Table – 1: Crop Concentration Index in Howrah District

SL Blocks Paddy Jute Potato Mustard Wheat Khesari Sesame Sugar No (Til) -cane . 1 Bally-Jagacha 1.109 0.006 0.002 0.016 0.150 0.024 0.010 0.371 2 Domjur 0.987 0.181 0.461 0.083 0.039 0.064 7.277 0.097 3 Panchla 0.956 0.114 0.001 0.003 0.030 9.286 0.002 0.075 4 Sankrail 1.111 0.005 0.002 0.014 0.131 1.276 0.009 0.325 5 Jagatballavpur 1.047 0.083 0.027 0.694 0.008 0.001 4.778 0.020 6 Uluberia- I 1.119 0.001 0.000 0.002 0.017 0.003 0.001 0.044 7 Uluberia- II 1.119 0.001 0.000 0.002 0.016 0.003 0.001 0.041 8 Amta- I 1.043 0.430 0.588 2.820 0.011 0.002 0.163 0.028 9 Amta- II 0.969 1.599 1.080 2.465 3.160 0.001 1.346 0.022 10 Udaynarayanpur 0.693 4.210 4.490 2.064 1.631 0.001 0.149 5.569 11 Bagnan- I 1.106 0.001 0.000 0.003 0.029 0.005 1.022 0.072 12 Bagnan- II 1.088 0.200 0.171 0.474 4.827 0.455 0.002 0.070 13 Shyampur- I 1.120 0.001 0.000 0.001 0.008 0.001 0.001 0.021 14 Shyampur- II 1.119 0.011 0.000 0.001 0.009 0.001 0.001 0.022 Source: Computed by Researcher

Amit Bera Department of Geography and Disaster Management, Tripura University, India Email: [email protected] Fig.1: Location of the Study Area www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 55 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260 Indian Journal of Spatial Science Vol - 8.0 No.1 Spring Issue 2017 pp. 52 - 56

Fig. 2: Rainfall Chart of the Study Area Fig. 3: Temperature Graph of the Study Area

Fig. 4: Irrigation Map of the Study Area Fig. 5: Soil Map of the Study Area

Fig.6: Crop Concentration (Major: Paddy, Jute, Mustard, Potato) Fig.7: Crop Concentration (Major: Wheat, Khesari, Sesame, Sugarcane) in the Study Area in the Study Area www.h-net.org/.....ID=201577 56 Advanced Science Index...ID=1260