Land Utilization Index Research Articles

Changes in Livelihood and Utilization Pattern of Farm Pond Owners in Drought Regions of Maharashtra, India

The study aimed to assess the impact of farm pond adoption on the livelihood of beneficiaries in drought-prone regions of Maharashtra, India during 2022-23. Data from 160 beneficiaries and 160 non-beneficiaries were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and published sources and data were analysed, The results shows that a significant increase in various aspects of beneficiary activities, including the utilization of women's productive time (MS 0.43 to 2.47), the regular employment generation index (MS 81.54 to 151.04), the livestock composition index (MS 1.46 to 2.39), the enterprises cost-effectiveness index (MS 17.27 to 48.83), the cultivated land utilization index (MS 0.22 to 0.67), and the irrigability index (MS 2.17 to 16.88). In terms of investment, horticultural crops received the highest allocation (MS 401) followed by animal husbandry (MS 360) and agricultural crops (MS 236). Farm pond income was predominantly directed toward purchasing farm inputs (56.88 %), with a smaller portion allocated to equipment (18.13%) and the least to non-agricultural businesses (1.25 %). Overall, the findings showed a significant improvement in the livelihood component of farm pond owners (MS 84.09), with the employment component exhibiting the highest mean score of 81.33, followed by the economic component (MS 75.97). These findings underscore the transformative potential of farm pond adoption in drought-prone regions, as it enhances livelihoods, empowers gender roles, and promotes diversified and sustainable agricultural practices within the locale of the study.

Improvement of Brinjal-T. Aman -Cabbage Cropping Pattern in Tangail Region

The experiment was conducted at the farmers’ field of FSRD site Deldwar, Tangail to evaluate the agro-economic performance of Okra-T.Aman-Cabbage cropping pattern against farmers’ existing pattern Brinjal-T.Aman rice-Cabbage through incorporation of high yielding varieties and improved management practices during 2018 to 2020. Two cropping pattern viz., Okra-T.Aman rice-Cabbage improved pattern and Brinjal-T.Aman rice-Cabbage farmers’ existing pattern were the treatments variables. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with five dispersed replications Mean data showed that the improved management practices for Okra-T.Aman rice-Cabbage cropping pattern provided higher rice equivalent yield (41.42 t ha-1), production efficiency (368 kg ha-1 day-1) and land utilization index (78 %) over farmers existing pattern Brinjal-T.Aman rice-Cabbage. Average gross return Tk. 667945 ha-1 and gross margin Tk. 452105 ha-1 of improved pattern were 24 and 33 % higher, respectively compared to that of farmers’ pattern with only 8 % extra cost. The marginal benefit cost ratio, land utilization index and production efficiency indicated the superiority of the improved pattern over the farmers’ practices.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(3): 323-232, September 2022

Sustainable Water Harvesting for Improving Food Security and Livelihoods of Smallholders under Different Climatic Conditions of India

In India, the per capita availability of water is projected to be 1465 m3 and 1235 m3 by the years 2025 and 2050, respectively, and hence, India would be a water-stressed country as per the United Nations’ standard of less than 1700 m3 per capita water availability. India is predominantly an agricultural-dominant country. Rainfed agriculture in the country contributes 40% of food grain production and supports half of the human population and two-thirds of the livestock population. The country has 15 different agro-climatic zones, and each agro-climatic region has its own constraints of water availability and management along with the potential for their optimum utilization. Such situations warrant the formulation of regional-level strategies. Efforts were made to integrate and evaluate the feasibility of water harvesting and its utilization at twelve different sites representing six different agro-climatic conditions spanning pan India. It was found that water harvesting through tanks/ponds is a feasible approach and can increase the crop production as well as diversification. The results reveal that the range of crop diversification index increased from 0.49–0.85 to 0.65–0.98; the crop productivity index increased from 0.28–0.66 to 0.66–0.90; the cultivated land utilization index increased from 0.05–0.69 to 0.34–0.84; and the crop water productivity index increased from 0.20–0.51 to 0.56–0.96, among other production and diversification indices, due to additional water availability through rainwater harvesting intervention. Moreover, the gross return increased from INR 43,768–704,356 to INR 220,840–1,469,108 ha−1, representing a 108 to 400% increase in the returns due to the availability of water. The findings of this study suggest that the water harvesting in small ponds/tanks is economical and feasible, requires less technological intervention, and increases crop diversification in all the studied agro-climatic conditions, and hence, the same needs to be encouraged in the rainfed areas of the country.

Cropping Scenario in Water User Associations (WUAs) Managed Groundwater Irrigation System’s Command Area in West Bengal

The groundwater irrigation, catering to more than 60 per cent of total irrigation in India, has significantly contributed to food grains production. Participatory irrigation management programme has been implemented transferring irrigation management to WUAs. Present study was undertaken during 2019 to explore cropping scenario in groundwater irrigation command under jurisdiction of WUAs in Burdwan district of West Bengal covering a random sample of 120 farmers. It is revealed that paddy was the major crop in both kharif and summer season. During rabi season, potato was grown in larger areas followed by mustard. While all 120 farmers had grown paddy as single crop in kharif season, 100 and 82 farmers have cultivated potato and mustard in rabi season and 75 farmers have grown boro rice during summer season. Cultivated land utilization index value was more than 50 per cent. Crop diversity index (CDI) value of 36 per cent showed lack of crop diversification in groundwater irrigation command areas that warrants need of bringing more areas under different crops. Multiple cropping index of 176 per cent showed a higher cropping intensity in groundwater irrigation command. Thus, Extension advisory services need to promote crop diversification in groundwater irrigation command areas through proper crop planning and capacity building of WUAs.

Development of Potato-Boro-T. Aman Rice Cropping Pattern Against Fallow-Boro-T. Aman Rice Cropping Pattern at Mymensingh

The experiment was conducted at Multiplication Testing Site (MLT) Trishal of On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the agro-economic performance of improved cropping pattern for increasing cropping intensity and system productivity as compared to farmers’ existing cropping pattern. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. Two cropping patterns viz. improved pattern Potato (BARI Alu- 25)-Boro (BRRI dhan28)-T. Aman rice (BRRI dhan49) and farmers existing cropping pattern Fallow-Boro (BRRI dhan29)- T. Aman rice (BRRI dhan49) were treatments variables of the experiment. Two years mean data showed that Potato-Boro-T. Aman rice cropping pattern produced higher tuber/grain yield as well as higher rice equivalent yield (30.53 t ha-1yr-1), production efficiency (149 kg ha-1 day-1), land utilization index (74 %) and labour employment (367mandays ha-1 yr-1) than Fallow-Boro-T. Aman rice cropping pattern. This pattern also increased system productivity, production efficiency, land utilization index and labour employment by 158, 166, 26 and 51% higher over exiting pattern. The mean gross return (Tk. 481800 ha-1) and gross margin (Tk.235329 ha-1) of improved cropping pattern were 139 and 237% higher, respectively compared to existing pattern with 87% extra cost. The mean marginal benefit cost ratio (2.45) indicated superiority to improved cropping pattern over existing pattern. Experimental findings revealed that there is potential for greater adoption of intensified cropping systems with increased productivity and profitability as compared to rice–rice systems in Mymensingh.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 279-292, September 2020

Evaluation of suitable rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping systems under rainfed medium land situation of Assam for enhancing farmers income and soil health

Rice is the predominant kharif crop grown in low and medium land situation of Assam. As the monocropping of rice is practiced by most of the farmers, the cropping intensity of the state is not upto the mark. In recent years, the farmers of the state have started growing different rabi pulses and oilseeds in sequence which helps in increasing the cropping intensity of the state as well as the farmers income. Diversification and intensification of rice-based cropping systems with remunerative and efficient crops like pulses, oilseeds and vegetables has great scope to generate maximum profit and soil health. Therefore, this study was conducted during 2016–17 and 2017–18 at farmers field to assessed 6 rice-based cropping sequences under rainfed medium land situation for their productivity, profitability and soil health. The treatments consisted of 6 rice-based cropping sequences viz. rice - rapeseed - fallow; rice - rapeseedblackgram; rice - garden pea -blackgram; rice -lentil -blackgram; rice - garden pea– Sesbania and rice - lentil-Sesbania. The results revealed that the performance of individual crops contributing the components of different cropping sequences were more or less identical in both the years of experimentation. The higher land utilization Index (92.33), employment generation (265 man days), relative equivalent yield (117.29 q/ha)), production efficiency (39.90 kg/ha), rain water productivity (8.14(kg/ha/mm), nutrientuse productivity (50.70 kg/ha/kg of nutrients applied), sustainable yield index (0.64) alongwith economic parameters like gross return (134.89103 Rs/ha), net return (66.27103 Rs/ha), benefit:cost ratio (2.16), economic efficiency (236.09 Rs/ha/day) and relative economic efficiency (149.38%) were calculated based on standard formula. The higher Soil organic carbon (0.71 & 0.64% in 0–15 and 15–30 cm depth), available Nitrogen (278.12 kg/ha), Phosphorous (36.08 kg/ha) and Potash (158.18 kg/ha) content after completion of the experiment were recorded under the sequences diversified with pulses. So, it can be concluded from the present investigation that, rice-garden pea –black gram and ricegarden pea-sesbania (GM) were found to be suitable rice-based cropping sequences in respect of farmers income is concerned. But the rice-based cropping sequences diversified with food legumes and green manuring crop contributed to more soil organic carbon and NPK status of soil.

Intensifying rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping system through pulses and oilseeds in North-East India

Cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in north eastern region (NER) of India assumes greater significance in view of high deficits in production for nutritional security. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to study the possibility of growing three crops in a year in the valley land rice (Oryza sativa L) ecosystem by following conservation tillage and cultivation of short duration pulses/oilseed crops and to study their impact on system productivity, water use efficiency, net return and soil fertility. While, the average rice yield (4.78 t/ ha) was significantly higher under the rice-pea-greengram system, the system rice equivalent yield (13.61 t/ha) was the maximum under rice-pea-French bean followed by (12.55 t/ha) rice-pea-blackgram as compared to rice-fallow (4.64 t/ha) systems. Higher cultivated land utilization index was recorded under rice-lentil-greengram (0.97) and rice-lentilblackgram (0.93) than other systems. The highest net returns were realized under rice-pea-French bean (₹ 118392/ ha) followed by rice-pea-black gram system (₹ 110267/ha) over a low net returns (₹ 39040/ha) from rice-fallow. The soil organic carbon, available N and soil microbial properties were substantially enhanced due to inclusion of legumes in rice based system and the highest value of these properties were evident under rice-pea-greengram followed by rice-pea-blackgram systems. Thus, inclusion of short duration legumes like lentil and pea in winter season and green gram, blackgram or French bean in summer season under conservation tillage can enhance the cropping intensity to 300%, improve soil health and enhance system productivity and income by two to three times in NER.

Cultivated Land Utilization Index Vis-a-Vis Cropping Intensity for Crop Diversification and Water Resource Management in Odisha, India

Cultivated Land Utilization Index Vis-a-Vis Cropping Intensity for Crop Diversification and Water Resource Management in Odisha, India

Impact of Watershed Programmes in Bundelkhand Region of Madhya Pradesh, India: How Beneficiaries Perceive?

An ex- post study was conducted to assess the impact of watershed development programmes, and appraisal was made with perceptions of beneficiaries of respective watersheds. The water resources development activities were accorded the highest priority with the allocation of 42% of the total budget, followed by soil conservation activities with the allocation of 27% of the budget. The cumulative effect of land-based activities was observed in terms of an increase in cultivated area (34%), cropping intensity (44%), afforestation/plantation (34%), irrigation intensity (13%) as well as a decrease in current fallow (78%) and wasteland (35%). The value of crop diversification index and cultivated land utilization index were higher over pre-project situations, and higher value of crop yield index indicated the higher productivity levels for major crops in watershed villages. Positive and significant differences in various socio-economic attributes among watersheds and control areas like labour absorptions and income from crop enterprises also endorsed the positive effects of watershed-based interventions. However, yield enhancement, groundwater recharge, saving of resources and augmentation of income were the major benefits of various watershed-based interventions as perceived by the beneficiary households.

On-Farm Evaluation and System Productivity of Garden Pea-Boro-T. Aman Rice Cropping Pattern in Mymensingh

The experiment was conducted at Multi Location Testing site under On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh 2016- 17 and 2017-18 to evaluate the agro-economic performance of improved cropping pattern for increasing cropping intensity, system productivity and profitability as compared to farmers’ existing cropping pattern. The experiment was laid out randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. Two cropping pattern viz., improved cropping pattern Garden pea (var. BARI Motorshuti-3) - Boro (var. BRRI dhan28) - T. Aman rice (var. BRRI dhan32) and farmers’ existing pattern Fallow - Boro (BRRI dhan28) - T. Aman rice (var. BRRI dhan32) as control were tested. Improved cropping pattern produced higher mean rice equivalent yield (30.26 t ha-1 yr.-1), production efficiency (74 kg ha-1 day-1 ), land utilization index (72 %) and labour employment (382 man-days ha-1 yr.-1) than farmers’ pattern which were 200, 37, 35 and 55% higher over existing pattern. Average gross return (Tk.486430 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 284787 ha-1) and marginal benefit cost ratio (4.60) of improved pattern indicate it’s superiority over farmers’ pattern. The fertility status of soil i.e. pH, organic matter, total N, available P, S, Zn and B content in soil were increased over the initial soil due to addition of garden pea biomass. Thus, inclusion of garden pea in the existing pattern would improve soil health and system productivity as a whole. Experimental findings revealed that there is potential for greater adoption of intensified cropping systems with increased productivity and profitability as compared to rice–rice systems in Mymensingh region.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(1): 37-46

Integration of social, economic and environmental factors in GIS for land degradation vulnerability assessment in the Pir Panjal Himalaya, Kashmir, India

Land degradation assessment is imperative for developing a mitigation plan to minimize the adverse impacts associated with land degradation. The study involves the integration of various social, economic and environmental indices for identifying the land degradation vulnerable areas in the Pir Panjal Himalaya, Kashmir, India. Analysis of the land use and land cover from the satellite data revealed that ~47% of the area is devoid of any vegetal cover. Slope index revealed that ~40% of the study area is precipitous with slope >30%. The land utilization index indicated that ~51% of the area is over-utilized. Integration of all the environmental indices in GIS environment yielded the Natural Resource Prioritization Index which revealed that ~41% of the area needs attention for land degradation mitigation on top priority. Integration of all the socioeconomic indices yielded the Socio-Economic Priority Zones which revealed that ~35% of the area needs attention for the socio-economic upliftment on priority for combating the land degradation in the study area. Land Degradation Vulnerability Index (LDVI) model was developed in GIS environment based on the unique combination of various natural resource and socioeconomic priority zones using the weighted index approach to assess the cumulative impact of social, economic and environmental factors on land degradation. The model analyses revealed that ~48% of the study area (~603 Km2) shows high to very high LDVI values alluding to its high vulnerability to different forms of land degradation. The approach developed in this research for the integration of various causal factors to identify the lands vulnerable to varying degree and intensity of degradation will go a long way in developing appropriate mitigation strategies for combating land degradation at village level in the Himalaya.

Exploring Optimal Cereal Crop Sequence Using Cultivated Land Utilization Index and Yield in Katihar District, India: A Sub Division Level Analysis

The present study attempts to identify the suitable crop sequences in an agriculturally productive district of Bihar, India. Rice-rice-vegetables, rice-maize-rice, rice-maize-maize, rice-maize-jute, rice-pulse-rice, rice-pulse-jute, rice-pulse-potato, and maize-maize-rice were found to be the suitable crop sequences in the area under study. Findings revealed that most of the blocks were found suitable for suggested crop sequences, while only two blocks (namely Balrampur and Barsoi) showed low potential in the rice-maize-rice sequence. Use of farm machinery, application of efficient farm inputs, and irrigation is required to maximize the yield and achieve long-term agricultural sustainability in this district.

Increasing cropping intensity and productivity through mungbean inclusion in wheat-fallow-T. Aman rice cropping pattern

The experiment was conducted at the farmers’ field of Bhaluka Upazilla under On-Farm Research division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mymensingh during 2014-15 and 2015-16 to evaluate the performance of Wheat-Mungbean-T.aman rice improved cropping pattern against a farmers cropping pattern of Wheat-Fallow-T.aman rice. The findings of the study indicated that three crops could be grown successfully in sequence in the tested site. The higher rice equivalent yield (15.33 t hd-1 yr.-1), production efficiency (34.74 kg ha-1 day-1) and land utilization index (70.69 %) were obtained from the improved cropping pattern than the farmer’s one. Average gross return (Tk. 262750 ha-1), gross margin (Tk 126204 ha-1) and marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) 2.23 of the improved pattern indicate it’s superiority over farmers’ existing pattern. The fertility status of soil i.e. pH, organic matter, total N, available P, S, Zn and B content in soil were increased over the initial soil due to addition of mungbean biomass.Thus, inclusion of mungbean in the existing farmer’s cropping pattern will improve soil health and the system productivity as a whole.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(2): 333-343, June 2018

REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF ROTATIONAL INTENSITY, CROP DIVERSITY INDEX, LAND UTILIZATION INDEX AND YIELD EFFICIENCY IN BIO-INTENSIVE AND CONVENTIONAL FARMING SYSTEMS IN NEPAL

This study was conducted in Udayapur district, Nepal. A questionnaire-basedsurvey with 100 household heads along with field visit and personal interactionwith the concerned farmers were conducted to gather required information. Datawere analyzed to compute rotational intensity (RI), crop diversity index (CDI),land utilization index (LUI), and yield efficiency (YE). Regression analyses weredone to reveal relationships among these traits. Bio-intensive farming system(BIFS) farmers were found to practice scientific crop rotation substantially morethan conventional farming system (CFS) farmers both in rice-based and maizebasedcropping systems. In this study, higher RI, CDI, LUI and YE were found insustainable bio-intensive farming system (BIFS) as compared to conventionalfarming system (CFS). The study has revealed strong positive relationship of RIwith CDI and LUI in BIFS, CFS and in general. Cropping system both in BIFS andCFS with scientific crop rotation that ensures higher CDI and LUI is recommendedfor increasing yield efficiency. Direct positive relationship among RI, CDI and LUIhas been revealed by this study as a rule; and has suggested to be used in validatingyield efficiency of optional farming system as compared to the mainstreamconventional farming system.

Raised and sunken bed land configuration for crop diversification and crop and water productivity enhancement in rice paddies of the north eastern region of India

The crop and water productivity (WP) of monocropped rice in lowland of north-eastern region of India is low mainly due to cultivation of long duration variety, meagre use of fertilizer and manure, and inefficient water management, which needs to be improved for sustaining food security. Raised and sunken bed (RSB) land configuration (removing the surface soil layer from an area and depositing on the adjacent area to a height of about 50 cm by cutting and filling method) was demonstrated in a participatory research mode in farmers’ field during 2010–2012 for promoting crop diversification, enhancing crop and WP, and improving livelihood. The results indicated significant improvement in cropping intensity, productivity, employment, and income of farmers due to adoption of RSB land configuration compared to farmers’ practice (FP) of rice monocropping. The average rice equivalent yield (REY) of RSB land configuration was 16.20 t ha−1 compared to 3.24 t ha−1 under FP. The enhancement in employment and water-use efficiency were 445 and 291 % due to RSB over FP, respectively. The WP enhanced by four times due to RSB (0.69 kg m−3 water) compared to FP (0.18 kg m−3 water). In raised beds, the highest gross (USD 7,346 ha−1) and net returns (USD 4,524 ha−1) were recorded under tomato–okra–broccoli sequence, while in sunken beds, the highest gross and net returns were obtained under rice–pea (USD 2,633 and 1,590 ha−1, respectively) and these were substantially higher than those observed under FP (USD 775 ha−1 and USD 383 ha−1, respectively). Multiple cropping index, cultivated land utilization index, and diversity index also increased substantially due to RSB land configuration.

Performance of rice systems, irrigation and organic carbon storage

Three-year (2007/2008–2009/2010) field experiment was conducted at the Directorate of Water Management Research Farm under Deras command in Odisha, India to assess the crop yield, irrigation water use efficiency (WUE), sustainable yield index (SYI), land utilization index (LUI) and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) for dominant rice systems, viz. rice-maize-rice, rice-cowpea-rice, rice-sunflower-rice, rice-tomato-okra and rice-fallow-rice. Results revealed that crop yield, in terms of total system productivity (TSP) increased by 273, 113, 106 and 58% in rice-tomato-okra, rice-sunflower-rice, rice-maize-rice and rice-cowpea-rice, respectively, when compared to rice-fallow-rice. Irrigation WUE was 49–414% greater in rice-based diversified systems than the existing rice-fallow-rice (2.98 kg ha−1 mm−1). The SYI ranged from 0.65 to 0.75 indicating greater sustainability of the systems. Three crops in a sequence resulted in greater LUI and production efficiency compared to rice-fallow-rice. The gross economi...

Cropping Systems Dynamics in the Lower Gangetic Plains of India using Geospatial Technologies

Abstract. Cropping system study is useful to understand the overall sustainability of agricultural system. Capturing the change dynamics of cropping systems, especially spatial and temporal aspects, is of utmost importance in overall planning and management of natural resources. This paper highlights the remote sensing based cropping systems change-dynamics assessment. Current study is aimed at use of multidate-multisensor data for deriving the seasonal cropping pattern maps and deriving the remote sensing based cropping system performance indicators during 1998–99 and 2004–05 in West- Bengal state of India. The temporal assessment of the changes of cropping systems components such as cropping pattern and indices for the study years 1998–99 and 2004–05 have been brought out. The results indicate that during the six years of time the kharif cropping pattern has almost remained the same, being a rice dominant system. A notable point is the decrease in the aus rice due to readjusting the cropping system practice to suit the two crop systems in many places was observed. Marginal variations in mustard and wheat areas during rabi season was observed. The boro (summer) rice area has almost remained constant. The rice-fallow-fallow (R-F-F) rotation reduced by about 4 percent while the rice-fallow-rice (R-F-R) increased by about 7 percent percent. The Area Diversity Index reduced by about 38 percent in 2004 which may be attributed to decrease in kharif pulses and minor crops during kharif and summer. However, diversity during rabi season continued to remain high. The increase in Multiple Cropping Index was observed predominantly in the southern part of the state. Cultivated Land Utilization Index shows an increase by about 0.05.

Evaluation of Potato-Based Crop Sequences for Crop Diversification in Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh

A study was conducted to evaluate different crop sequences under limited-period irrigation conditions at farmers' fields in four villages of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh during 2007-08. Six crop sequences, viz., Soybean-Garlic, Soybean-Onion, Soybean-Wheat, Soybean-Potato, Green gram-Radish-Potato and Green gram-Potato-Wheat were compared. Results revealed that crop sequence had remarkable influence on various competition indices. Highest potato equivalent yield (506.25q/ha) was recorded in green-gram- radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybeangarlic, green-gram-potato-wheat and soybean-potato crop sequences. Land Utilization Index (LUI) was highest in green-gram-potato-wheat crop sequence and minimum in soybean-garlic and soybean-potato (both at 0.64) crop sequences. Green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence attained highest production efficiency (200.89kg/ha per day). Highest cost of input, output and net returns were obtained in greengram-radish-potato crop sequence whereas, Cost: Benefit ratio was maximum under soybean-onion crop sequence, followed by soybean-wheat and green-gram-radishpotato sequence.

Cropping pattern of Uttar Pradesh using IRS-P6 (AWiFS) data

The cropping pattern (rotation) of a region depends on the soil, water availability, economic conditions and climatic factors. Remote sensing is one of the effective tools that can provide precise and up-to-date information on the performance of agricultural systems. Four seasons data from the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS)-P6 Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) were used for the generation of the cropping pattern of Uttar Pradesh by geographic information system (GIS)-aided integration of digitally classified crop and land use inventories of the kharif, rabi and zaid crop seasons. Twelve different cropping patterns were delineated and mapped in the Indo-Gangetic plain of Uttar Pradesh. The forests covered about 6.32% of the total geographical area. The net cropped area was 20 282 159.46 ha (84.18% of the total geographical area) and the non-agricultural area observed was 3 437 376.00 ha (14.26% of the total geographical area). Rice was the single most dominant crop of the state, occupying about 32.94% of the total geographical area during the kharif season. Maize/jowar was the second major cereal crop, accounting for 13.77% of the total geographical area of the state. The major crops grown during the rabi season were wheat and pulses/oilseed, covering areas of 7 979 267.71 ha (33.12%) and 5 974 742.58 ha (24.80%), respectively. Rice-wheat, sugarcane and rice-pulses were the major cropping patterns, occupying about 3 958 739.85 ha (16.43%), 3 609 939.74 ha (14.98%) and 2 511 298.24 ha (10.42%), respectively. The areas under pulses/oilseed were significantly higher in the rabi season. Sugarcane-wheat and pulses shared an almost equal area (6.49%). The maize/jowar-wheat cropping pattern occupied 6.14% of the total geographical area of the state. Single cropping patterns (i.e. rice-fallow, fallow-pulses, fallow-wheat, maize-fallow and sugarcane-fallow) were minor, occupying 6.08, 2.94, 4.06, 2.69 and 2.51%, respectively. Waste land, including gulley, salt-affected, waterlogged and rock land, accounted for 3.80% of the total geographical area. The results of this study indicate that temporal IRS-P6 (AWiFS) data are very useful for studying spatial cropping patterns. The values of the Multiple Cropping Index (MCI) and the Cultivated Land Utilization Index (CLUI) show that the study area has a high cropping intensity.

A Spatial Database of Cropping System and its Characteristics to Aid Climate Change Impact Assessment Studies

Cropping system study is not only useful to understand the overall sustainability of agricultural system, but also it helps in generating many important parameters which are useful in climate change impact assessment. Considering its importance, Space Applications Centre, took up a project for mapping and characterizing major cropping systems of Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. The study area included the five states of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India, i.e. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. There were two aspects of the study. The first aspect included state and district level cropping system mapping using multi-date remote sensing (IRS-AWiFS and Radarsat ScanSAR) data. The second part was to characterize the cropping system using moderate spatial resolution multi-date remote sensing data (SPOT VGT NDVI) and ground survey. The remote sensing data was used to compute three cropping system performance indices (Multiple Cropping Index, Area Diversity Index and Cultivated Land Utilization Index). Ground survey was conducted using questionnaires filled up by 1,000 farmers selected from 103 villages based on the cropping systems map. Apart from ground survey, soil and water sampling and quality analysis were carried out to understand the effect of different cropping systems and their management practices. The results showed that, rice-wheat was the major cropping system of the IGP, followed by Rice-Fallow-Fallow and Maize-Wheat. Other major cropping systems of IGP included Sugarcane based, Pearl millet-Wheat, Rice-Fallow-Rice, Cotton-Wheat. The ground survey could identify 77 cropping systems, out of which 38 are rice-based systems. Out of these 77 cropping systems, there were 5 single crop systems, occupying 6.5% coverage (of all cropping system area), 56 double crop systems with 72.7% coverage, and 16 triple crop systems with 20.8% coverage. The cropping system performance analysis showed that the crop diversity was found to be highest in Haryana, while the cropping intensity was highest in Punjab state.