A Comparative Analysis of Crop Diversification between Flood and Drought Prone Areas of Rajasthan

Present study pertains to Rajasthan the largest state of India having varied climatic conditions. Data of different crops pertaining to1980-2014 was used in the study. A comparison has been made for changing cropping patterns in relations to rainfall over the years for two districts i.e. Bikaner and Kota of the state. Transformed Herfindahl Index (THI) and trends were used for estimating the diversification patterns to compare the change in area for different crop categories i.e. cereals, pulses and oilseeds over the years. Kota and Bikaner, two districts of Rajasthan state have contrasting climatic conditions. Kota being in flood-prone zone, farmers prefer growing cereals more. On the other hand, Bikaner being a drought affected district farmers there prefer growing oilseed crops more, as it is drought resistant in nature. Farmers change the area under a particular crop based on the previous year rainfall. Farmers in Rajasthan grow water-intensive crops such as rice and wheat as they get MSP for these crops though less suited for the regions. The government should include oilseeds and pulses under the MSP regime so that farmers feel motivated and incentivized to grow these crops. Agricultural experts should make area specific cropping schedule and extension agents must disseminate these plans to the farmers. Specific cropping plans are more likely to increase farm income.