Land Size Class Wise Change in Cropping Pattern in Malda District – A Block Level Analysis

Abstract

Proportion of area under different crops and change therein remains a concern before policymakers, researcher, public policy analysts and, academia like geographers. As cropping pattern determines food security, internal consumption demand and export of crops, sustainable cropping arrangement is essential to follow. The paper examined the pattern and extent of cropping across land size categories at block level in Malda district of West Bengal. The change in cropping pattern from 1995-96 to 2015-16 has been assessed through secondary sources of data. The data for 2015-16 is extrapolated based on previous years (2005-06 and 2015-16) interpolated data. Data were processed in Excel spread sheets and results are shown through maps and tables. The maps were prepared in QGIS 2.18. The findings of the study show that gross cropped area under cereals, pulses and vegetables indicated negative growth while fibres, oilseeds and fruits area increased across land size classes but gain is maximum under marginal land size class. Total area under food crops decreased substantially over non-food crops. The study suggests policy intervention measure to boost up economically profitable crops for the sake of the development of Malda district.