An Assessment of Structural Change in Sugarcane Cropping Pattern in Karnataka: Evidence from Markov Chain Analysis

Abstract

Aims: The present study was undertaken in Kalaburagi with the overall objective of determining the structural change in sugarcane cropping pattern in Kalyana-Karnataka region. Study Design: The study was conducted in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka state especially focused to Kalyan Karnataka region. The area of ten major crops of the Kalaburgi district were taken in to consideration such as Jawar, Wheat, Red gram, Chickpea (Gram), Groundnut, Sunflower, Banana, Onion and Others crops for study. Material and Methods: The 20 year’s secondary data of sugarcane were collected from 2000-01 to 2021-22 to fulfill the objectives of the study. The required data were collected from different sources such as District Statistical Officer, DES, Bangalore, DAC, Indiastat.com, etc. The study used CAGR, CV, Markov chain analysis, Moving Average Methods and descriptive analysis to fulfil the objectives of the study.    Results: The results of the transition probability matrix (TPM) showed that sugarcane has retained 40 percent of its area over the study period and it has gained 38 percent of area from Jowar and 21 percent of area from Bengal gram in the Kalaburagi district. The study showed that the sugarcane productions were largely contributed from Afzalpur taluq in the Kalaburagi district followed by Jewargi and Aland during the period. Conclusion: The study concluded that sugarcane crop has emerged as alternative crop in the irrigation belt of the Kalaburagi and it has high potentiality for improving socio-economic conditions of the farmers in the region.