Dynamics of Land Use Patterns and Agricultural Instability in Haryana: A Temporal Analysis

Haryana, India, is a major foodgrain producing state since the Green Revolution, faces growing challenges of land and water degradation. Intensive rice-wheat cropping patterns have resulted in groundwater depletion, waterlogging, salinity, alkalinity and declining soil health. Despite these concerns, limited research has comprehensively examined the temporal dynamics of land use and agricultural instability in the region. The present study aimed to analyze land use changes and instability in Haryana’s agricultural landscape from 2002 to 2022. The study utilized secondary data from Statistical Abstract of Haryana and land use statistics (Ministry of Agriculture).

Analytical techniques such as compound annual growth rate (CAGR) analysis and cuddy-della valle instability index (CDVI) were employed to assess trends and volatility across different land categories.

Findings revealed critical paradox: while India demonstrated marginal forest expansion (0.10% CAGR) and moderate intensification, Haryana experienced alarming environmental degradation with forest cover declining sharply (-7.30% CAGR) and barren lands surging (22.00% CAGR). Agricultural intensification was evident through 2.60% CAGR in area sown multiple times, yet offset by rising instability in culturable wasteland (CDVI: 32.97%) and non-agricultural land use (CDVI: 40.05%). These findings underscore urgent need for sustainable land management and policy interventions to balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation in Haryana.