Crop diversification in north-eastern agro-climatic zones of Karnataka

The present study was conducted in north eastern transition and dry agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Two taluks representing irrigated and rainfed areas from each zone were selected for the study. The time series data pertaining to area under different crop groups from 2001-02 to 2023-24 was collected for each taluk and compiled accordingly for the analysis. The results revealed that in North Eastern Transition zone there was moderate extent of crop diversification in Aurad (rainfed) taluk with Herfindahl Index (HI) and Simpson Index (SI) values of 0.40 and 0.60 respectively. Comparatively higher extent of crop diversification was found in Humnabad (irrigated) taluk with HI and SI values of 0.31 and 0.69 respectively. While, in North Eastern Dry zone, there was low extent of crop diversification in Sedam (rainfed) taluk with HI and SI values of 0.61 and 0.39 respectively and higher extent of crop diversification in Devadurga (irrigated) taluk with HI and SI values of 0.34 and 0.66 respectively. Transition probability matrix across the zones revealed that there had been shift in the area under cultivation of traditionally grown less remunerative crops towards more remunerative high value crops.