An Assessment of Dynamics on Cropping Pattern and Crop Diversification in Akola District of Maharashtra

The present study was based on secondary data collec ted from various government publications and pertai ns to a period of 43 years, i.e. from 1970-71 to 2013-14. This study has examined the growth rates of area, p roduction and productivity of major crops, the trend in crop dive rsification, changes in cropping pattern and advant geous crops in Akola district of Maharashtra. The compound growth ra tes of area, production and productivity of major c ops were estimated for four sub-periods, i.e. Period-I (1970 1to 1979-80), Period-II (1980-81 to 1989-90), Per iod –III (1990-91 to 2000-01), Period-IV (2000-01 to 2013-14) and overall period (1970-71 to 2013-14). There existed wide tem poral changes in the cropping pattern of Akola district. Over a pe riod of study, the proportions of area under jowar a nd cotton had reduced in Akola, whereas it was increased in respect of pulses. In Akola district, crop diversification has significantly increased during the study period. The diversificat ion from subsistence crop to more commercial crops were taking place in Akola. Soybean attained a prestigious posit i n in the cropping pattern of Akola. Soybean shows increasing land concentration ratio from year 2009-10 to 2013-14, s o soybean is a more advantageous crop in Akola distr ict.