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Assessment of Efficient Cropping Zone for Rice and Bajara in Akole Tahsil Using GIS Approach

Snehal Nivrutti Kasar, Rajendra Bhausaheb Zolekar*

Department of Geography, K.V.N. Naik Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha’s Arts, Commerce and Science College Nashik. Tal: Nashik, Dist: Nashik. Pin: 422002, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: A physiographic and climatic condition determined different efficient cropping zones. The quantity and quality of crop yield can be affected by water stress, heat stress or frost or by pests and diseases. As climate conditions change, efficient cropping zones for the cultivation of specific crops may shift. It is important to understand such changes to farmers, planners, policy makers and land managers for develop adaptation strategies. The objective of the study was to detect village wise crop efficiency in Akole Tahsil in Ahmednagar District. Relative Spread Index (RSI) and Relative Yield Index (RYI) were computed for determination of village wise efficient cropping zone. The present study is based on the village wise data regarding the cropping patterns procured for last twelve years from the Government Offices. This study examined, using records from 2001 to 2012, changes in yield, area under cultivation, and production efficiency of Rice and Bajara. The map of the village wise efficient cropping zone for Rice and Bajara has been prepared using different criterion of efficient cropping zone with help of this GIS (Geographical Information system) software. About 16% villages show efficient cropping zone for Rice, but the same villages failed in efficient cropping zone for Bajara.

Keywords: efficient cropping zone, geographical information system, rice, Bajara

Received February 02, 2022; Revised March 04, 2022; Accepted March 11, 2022

Citation: Snehal Nivrutti Kasar, Rajendra Bhausaheb Zolekar, Assessment of Efficient Cropping Zone for Rice and Bajara in Akole Tahsil Using GIS Approach. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 10 (3). 88-94. January 2022. doi:10.12691/aees-10-3-3

1. Introduction

Agricultural efficiency depends on natural resources i.e. soil, water, nutrients, minerals, etc. for growth and productivity of crops [1]. Agricultural efficiency is affected by changes in temperature, precipitation, soil, distribution of infestation pests, insects, diseases or weeds. These elements are determining overall agro-ecological setting for nourishment and crop efficiency. Indian agronomy fate depends on the monsoon [2]. Rainfall occurring over India during summer monsoon season significantly affects the cropping patterns and agricultural production of the country by providing water for the two main crop growing seasons, Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter). Variations in the monsoon rainfall made different efficient and inefficient cropping zones [2,3]. Due to the heavy rainfall land in hilly zones are facing different problems like soil erosion, losses of fertile soil, water logging, groundwater depletion, increases in surface runoff, productivity losses, etc. [4,5]. Consequently these lands are converted into fallow and barren land and resulted degraded and highly inefficient cropping zone. Nevertheless crop efficiency is further narrowed down under influence of several other forces related to infrastructure facilities, socio-economic factors, technological developments, etc. Several researchers in the field of agriculture have detected efficient cropping zone using Relative Spread Index (RSI) and Relative Yield Index (RYI) [6,7,8]. Therefore, in the present study, RSI and RYI indices have been computed for all villages for identification of efficient cropping zone.

2. Materials and Method

2.1. Study Area

Akole Tahsil is located at western part of Ahmednagar District, in the state of Maharashtra (India) (Figure 1). It is well surrounded with the mountains of Sahyadris. Its latitudinal extent is between 19º 15’ 14’ North to 19º 44’ 59’ North and longitudinal extent is from 73º 37’ 00” East to 74º 07’ 24’ East. Altitude varies from 1646m to 620m with major peaks i.e. Kalasubai (highest peak in Maharashtra height 1646 m), Harichandra Garh (1424), Ajuba Dongar (1375mm), and Komda Dongar (1030m). The ridge from Ratan Garh towards east is water divide between River Mula and Pravara. The Bhandardara dam is constructed on the River Pravara and Ambit dam on the River Mula. Total Villages are 191 with four Revenue Circles i.e. Rajur, Akole, Samsherpur and Kotul. Total Geographical area of Tahsil is 1,505.08 km². Out of them agriculture land is 987.12 km². The climate of the Tahsil is hot and dry. It is characterized by a hot summer and generally dry except during the south-west monsoon season. The rainfall varies from 470 mm at eastern border to 4937 mm at western boundary and average rainfall is 508.9mm per year. However, the study area consists of two zones namely the Transition Zone (receiving 500-1200 mm rainfall) and Hilly Zone (receiving 1200-5000 mm rainfall). Except the study area, the entire Ahmednagar district falls under drought-prone area.

2.2. Methodology

The present study is based on the village wise data regarding the area, yield, production and total cultivable area procured for last twelve years (2000 to 2012) from the Government Offices for 191 villages. These data were used to compute RSI and RYI as suggested by Kanwar [9] (Formula 1, 2) to identify categories of efficient cropping zones (Table 1). The efficient cropping zone (Table 1) has been taken into account for understanding the areal strength and dominant area of major crops in the study region. Based on the criteria for efficient cropping zone (Table 1), the efficient cropping zone among the different agro-climatic zones and the potential villages for Rice and Bajara crop within each zone were identified. Arc GIS is vector based GIS software useful for compilation, analyses, storage and presentation of spatial analysis. All data required for the study has been loaded, processed and analysed using Arc Map 10. The map of the village wise efficient cropping zone for Rice and Bajara (Figure 2) has been prepared using different criterion of efficient cropping zone (Table 1) with help of this GIS software.

[picture] | (1)

[picture] | (2)

Figure 1. Study area (Akole Tahsil in Ahmednagar District (M.S.) India

Table 1. Criterion for Efficient cropping zone

Table 2. Village wise Efficient Cropping Zone for Rice and Bajara in Akole Tahsil

3. Result and Discussion

3.1. Efficient Cropping Zone for Rice

In Maharashtra, Rice is the second important crop to people, growing over an area of 14.99 lakh ha with 2.01 t/ha. Rice is a traditional rainfed Kharif food crop in the study region especially in Western site. The average productivity of the study region (1.3 t/ha) is less compared to Maharashtra State. Rain water resource is a major source of water for Kharif crops i.e. Rice in the western part of the Akole Tahsil. The eastern part of the study area is rain shadow areas. The heavy rainfall is observed at western part of the study region. It means that rainfall is gradually decreases toward rain shadow areas. Therefore, about 16% villages namely, Ambevangun, Ambit, Balthan, Bari, Kumshet, Ladgaon, Pedhewadi, etc. are observed to be the efficient cropping zone for Rice, but the same villages failed in efficient cropping zone for Bajara (Figure 2). Identification of efficient cropping zones: Data from Table 2 indicates that only two villages i.e. Khirvire and Waranghushi were found to be the most MECZ for rice. Even though about 43% villages shows highest area under Rice the RYI was low this might be due to high price of fertilizer, high price of agricultural input, high rent charges of agricultural machinery, lack of consultancy facilities, lack of finance, etc. Therefore, most of the population in the study region is living below poverty line. Approximately 55% villages fell under Highly-Inefficient cropping zone for Rice and 60% for Bajara where both RSI and RYI values were below 100 per cent. 16 villages come under ECZ, 106 villages under HICZ and two villages under MECZ for Rice.

Figure 2. Efficient Cropping Zone for Rice and Bajara in Akole Tahsil

3.2. Efficient Cropping Zone for Bajara

About 16% of NSA is under Kharif Bajara. It requires moderate soil moisture in growing period and less in mature stage. Most of the area of MECZ and ECZ under Bajara is observed in the villages i.e. Dhagewadi, Dhamangaon, Sugaon, Tahakari, Takali, Shidwa, Pimpalgaon, Nakvinda, Pimpalgaon Khand, etc. with gentle slopes, deep soils, rain shadow area, etc. (Table 2; Figure 2). Even though 8% villages show highest area under Bajara, the RYI was low this might be due to inefficient use of water resources. About 60% villages fail under highly-Inefficient and 7 % villages shows NECZ for Bajara due to heavy rainfall zone.

4. Conclusion

The crop yield index for Rice and Bajara shows a strong relationship with monsoon rainfall intensity. Kharif is the main crop growing season in study region. Foodgrain yield during Kharif season is directly aﬀected by rainfall variation. Rice is dominant crop in Kharif season observed in western site and Bajara is staple food in some of the villages in Eastern part of the region. Steep slopes, coarse soils, less fertility, heavy soil erosion, heavy irregular rainfall, poor human power, inadequate financial supply, etc. observed problems of agriculture in the region. Efficient cropping zone for Rice are found in heavy rainfall zone but the same area fails for Bajara. The productivity of all crops in the region is observed less than developed areas.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Principal and Management of K.V.N. Naik Shikshan Prasarak Sansthas, Nashik for encouraging me to complete this research work.

References

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