This study has examine the changes in cropping pattern and extent of crop diversification in different districts of Marathwada region. The districts selected for the study were Parbhani, Nanded, Latur, Jalna, Beed, Hingoli, Aurangabad and Osmanabad. Time series (secondary) data on the area, production and productivity of selected crops, total food production, etc. were collected for the period 1980–81 to 2010–11. The cropping pattern in terms of percentage share of individual crops in gross cropped area has been worked out. Entropy index (EI), modified entropy index (MEI) and composite entropy index (CEI) were used to quantify crop diversification. The study has shown that there existed wide temporal changes in the cropping pattern. The area of sorghum was being replaced by soybean and soybean attained a prestigious position in the cropping pattern of Marathwada region. Latur division and Marathwada region diversified more than the Aurangabad division. Osmanabad, Parbhani and Nanded districts showed increasing levels of diversification while Jalana and Latur districts showed low level of diversification. Aurangabad and Beed have been found more or less stable in crop diversification.
Cropping pattern, crop diversification, entropy index, modified entropy index, composite entropy index, Maharashtra
