Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Agricultural Intensification in Himachal Pradesh, India: A District-level Analysis of Cropping and Irrigation Intensity, 1990–91 to 2020–21

Abstract

Aims: To examine the spatio-temporal variation in cropping intensity and irrigation intensity across the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, India, during 1990–91, 2005–06, and 2020–21. Study Design: District-level quantitative analysis using secondary agricultural statistics, GIS-based spatial analysis, temporal comparison, and Pearson correlation. Place and Duration of Study: Himachal Pradesh, India, using agricultural statistics for 1990–91, 2005–06, and 2020–21. Methodology: District-level data on Net Area Sown (NSA), Gross Cropped Area (GCA), Net Irrigated Area (NIA), and Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) were obtained from the Annual Season and Crop Reports of Himachal Pradesh. Cropping intensity and irrigation intensity were calculated as GCA/NSA × 100 and GIA/NIA × 100, respectively. Choropleth maps were prepared in GIS, and Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the two indicators. Results: At the state level, cropping intensity increased from 168.77% in 1990–91 to 175.00% in 2005–06 before declining slightly to 172.58% in 2020–21, giving a net increase of 3.81 percentage points. Irrigation intensity increased from 167.70% to 179.03% and 179.19%, a net increase of 11.50 percentage points. Una recorded the largest increase in cropping intensity, while Chamba recorded the largest increase in irrigation intensity. Cropping intensity and irrigation intensity were strongly and positively correlated in 1990–91 (r = 0.755, P = .005) and 2020–21 (r = 0.748, P = .005), but the relationship was moderate and not statistically significant in 2005–06 (r = 0.535, P = .073). The correlation between changes in the two indicators was positive but not statistically significant (r = 0.476, P = .118). Conclusion: Agricultural intensification in Himachal Pradesh has followed a differentiated district-level trajectory. Irrigation intensity is an important component associated with agricultural intensification, but changes in irrigation intensity do not necessarily correspond proportionally to changes in cropping intensity.