Assessment of cropping intensity dynamics in Odisha using multitemporal Landsat TM and OLI images

Abstract

Satisfying the global food demand of the growing population from limited cropland resources is a huge challenge for scientists and policymakers. Approximately 14 mha land remains fallow (rice-fallow) in the dry season after monsoon season crop in South Asia. Accurate geospatial information of cropping intensity is key to identifying the potential areas for crop intensification. In this regard, we aim to map and evaluate cropping intensity dynamics over Odisha, using moderate-resolution multitemporal Landsat OLI (2013 to 14 to 2017 to 18) and TM (2006 to 07) images. The study performed k-mean clustering on principal components extracted from annual surface reflectance composites to identify the presence and absence of crop in the kharif and rabi seasons. The overall accuracy was estimated as 0.92 ± 0.01, 0.91 ± 0.01, 0.92 ± 0.01, 0.89 ± 0.01, and 0.91 ± 0.01 for cropping intensity map of 2006 to 07, 2013 to 14, 2014 to 15, 2015 to 16, 2016 to 17, and 2017 to 18 years, respectively. The analysis of this study revealed that ∼70 % (3.5 mha) of the total kharif crop area remains fallow during the rabi season. The study illustrated that the dynamics in cropping intensity in the coastal region of Odisha was directly influenced by the occurrence of floods during 2013 to 14 and 2014 to 15. Whereas, extreme and moderate drought during 2015 to 16 and 2017 to 18, respectively, reduced the total crop growing area of rabi season as well as cropping intensity especially in middle and western Odisha. The results and findings of this study can be used for policy-level interventions to target improved agricultural practices for improved productivity and crop intensification. The methodology and approach used in this study can be scaled up in similar areas of South and East Asia and Africa to study the dynamics of cropping intensity.