Abstract
Various indicators such as production, yield, mechanisation of farms, workforce engaged in farming are generally used for the evaluation of the status of the agricultural sector in a region. Of these, the cropping pattern is one such indicator that signifies how developed the farming system of a region is. To assess the cropping pattern, a number of statistical indices are available—cropping intensity, crop combination, crop concentration, and crop diversification. This research seeks to evaluate the cropping pattern in Assam, India and examines the status of its agricultural sector. It was found that the cropping intensity increased at a gradual rate of 3% per decade. A total of nine statistical indices were used to estimate crop diversification. These indices were compared amongst themselves to determine the most optimal method for the study area. It was found that the ogive and entropy methods were best suited to Assam in an evaluation of its crop diversification. Further, these crop diversification values were ranked and thereafter, a composite score (Kendall’s method) was derived. The composite score indicated that much of western and northern Assam had a high degree of crop diversification.
Highlights
Agro-climate resources are significantly affected by rapid warming, altered cropping intensities as well as cropland patterns (Zhang et al, 2013)
Agricultural development was assessed in terms of crop diversification. This helps identify the areas with single crop concentration, thereby laying a foundation for decision makers to focus on specific low crop diversification areas
The cropping intensity in Assam (Figure 2d) was highest in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur Kokrajhar, Baksa, and Nalbari and the lowest being in the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Kamrup &Kamrup, Nagaon, Cachar, and Karimganj
Summary
Agro-climate resources are significantly affected by rapid warming, altered cropping intensities as well as cropland patterns (Zhang et al, 2013). Two widely used indices in agricultural geography are crop concentration and crop diversification Both help to assess the cropping pattern of a region in a detailed manner (Roy & Barman, 2014). The demarcation of crop concentration regions helps in ascertaining the areas where a particular crop grows well even with minimal inputs, and play an essential role in agricultural development and planning (Raju, 2012; Roy & Barman, 2014). The diversified cropping pattern has enabled farmers to boost farm income This analysis intended to regionalise Assam on the basis of crop combinations. Agricultural development was assessed in terms of crop diversification This helps identify the areas with single crop concentration, thereby laying a foundation for decision makers to focus on specific low crop diversification areas. The results of this research are critically discussed in the sections following methodology
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