An Assessment of Change in Cropping Pattern in Madhya Pradesh

Economics

The aim of the present paper is to determine the changes in the cropping pattern in Madhya Pradesh. This paper will also give some suggestion for improving the cropping pattern in Madhya Pradesh. The secondary data was collected for the period of fifteen years viz from 2000-01 to 2015-16. To reveal the absolute and relative changes in cropping pattern of Madhya Pradesh, the analysis was done in four phases i.e., Phase first from 2000-01 to 2005-06, phase second from 2005-06 to 2010-11, phase third from 2010-11 to 2015-16, and phase fourth which is of sixteen years from 2000-01 to 2015-16. It is observed from the study that the gross sown area of state has increased from 17870(000ha) to 24047 thousand hectares during overall reference period. The net sown area has increased to 15316 thousand hectares in the last year of reference period over 14664 thousand hectares during the initial year. It is observed from the study that Madhya Pradesh is mainly a food grain growing stat around 64% of its gross cropped area (GCA) was under food grains and 32% under oilseeds in TE 2014–15. Within food grains, about 40% of GCA was under production of cereals while 23.97% was under pulses. Wheat is the most important cereal grown in the state, accounting for around 24% of the GCA. Among pulses, gram is the main crop grown with around 13% of GCA. Further it is revealed from the study that State mostly grows oilseeds, specifically soybean. Around 25.2% of GCA is under soybean cultivation. The farmers are gradually diversifying to commercial crops for the sake of higher earnings. It is revealed that the cropping pattern also points out the diversification of agriculture from subsistence or less profitable crops to commercial or more profitable area in the state.

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