Changing Cropping Pattern in Jalgaon District: A Geographical Analysis

Abstract Agriculture contributes significantly to the economic and socio-spatial development of Jalgaon District, Maharashtra. The district's cropping pattern has shifted dramatically over time as a result of changes in irrigation systems, rainfall circumstances, technical innovation, market demand, agricultural policy, and farmers' economic preferences. Jalgaon District has a rich agricultural system that includes crops such as cotton, banana, soybean, wheat, jowar, maize, pulses, and oilseeds. The current study intends to investigate the shifting cropping pattern in Jalgaon District, as well as the temporal and spatial variations in the area under major crops over the study period. The study is mostly based on secondary data gathered from official sources such as the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Maharashtra, the District Statistical Office, Jalgaon, and the Department of Agriculture. Several statistical approaches, such as percentage analysis, growth rate analysis, and crop concentration methods, will be used to detect significant changes and regional variances in cropping patterns. The study also looks at the impact of physical, economic, technological, and institutional elements on agricultural transformation. The findings are expected to provide a complete understanding of Jalgaon District's evolving agricultural landscape, as well as help to design appropriate strategies for sustainable and regionally balanced agricultural development.