A Comparative Analysis of Cropping Pattern in the Tribal-Dominated Districts of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study attempted to analyse the change in cropping pattern of the tribal dominating districts of Madhya Pradesh for a period of 21 years (2000-01 to 2020-21). Five major tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh with more than 50 percent tribal population were selected for the analysis. The districts included in the study were Barwani, Dhar, Jhabua, Mandla and Dindori. Statistical tools used in the study included absolute and relative change, coefficient of variation and annual growth rate. Secondary data on area under various crops were collected from the official website of Directorate of Economics and Statistics for the selected tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh. The findings revealed more inclination towards cereals particularly wheat and rice and decline in area share under millets as well as oilseeds. In terms of pulses, area under gram and arhar increased in Mandla and Dindori while in Barwani, Dhar and Jhabua area increased only for gram. For cash crops area under cotton increased in Barwani and Jhabua districts only. In oilseeds area increased only for soybean crop.