A Spatio-temporal Variations and Crop Concentration Pattern of Agriculture in Goa: A Geographical Analysis

Agriculture remains an important component of Goa’s economy and rural livelihood, despite the growing importance of tourism and other sectors. This study aims to assess temporal variations in crops grown in Goa and analyse the spatial pattern of crop concentration across its twelve talukas. The study is based on secondary data obtained from government publications, including Goa at a Glance, the Statistical Handbook and related agricultural reports. Data for three benchmark agricultural years, 2001–2002, 2011–2012 and 2021–2022, were analysed to examine changes in the cropping pattern. The Rank and Percentile method was used to rank crops according to cultivated area, while Bhatia’s Location Quotient Method (1965) was employed to determine crop concentration at the taluka level. The findings indicate a substantial decline in the area under paddy and in the combined area of cereals, millets, pulses and oilseeds, while the area under plantation crops, particularly cashew, coconut and arecanuts, increased over the study period. In 2021–2022, cashew occupied the largest cultivated area among the crop groups considered, followed by paddy and coconut. Spatial analysis revealed considerable variation in crop concentration across the talukas, with cashew showing high concentration in several interior and lateritic talukas, while paddy was highly concentrated in several low-lying talukas. Coconut is more widely distributed, while arecanuts shows comparatively higher concentration in selected interior talukas. The observed spatial patterns are associated with variations in terrain, soil, moisture availability, land characteristics and socio-economic conditions. The findings demonstrate that Goa’s agricultural landscape is undergoing a gradual transition characterised by changing crop composition and distinct spatial patterns. The study highlights the need for geographically differentiated agricultural planning, crop diversification, mechanisation and appropriate support for plantation and horticultural crops while sustaining paddy cultivation in suitable areas.