Crop diversification in sodicity-affected villages of Uttar Pradesh - Before and after sodic land reclamation

A study was conducted in October 2018 in 60 villages of Uttar Pradesh, 12 each from PY1 to PY5 areas of Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands III Reclamation Project. In total, 900 beneficiary farmers, 180 each from PY1 to PY5 areas, were included in the sample. Information was obtained from the sample respondents with reference to pre-project period and current crop year (2017-18). The study aimed to assess the increase in cropping intensity in sodic lands of project villages and increase in percentage of gross cropped area under oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables in reclaimed sodic lands and normal lands. Findings indicate that beneficiary farmers followed the project guidelines regarding crop cycle and cropping pattern for three years after sodic land reclamation and started diversifying the cropping pattern from the fourth year. Currently, farmers are growing oilseeds, pulses and vegetables in addition to paddy and wheat in reclaimed sodic land. Gross sown area under oilseeds, pulses and vegetables has experienced an increasing trend over the period. Moreover, cropping pattern has diversified in non-sodic (normal) land also. Such positive change is also attributed to better irrigation facility that was ensured through project support. Thus, project interventions have left positive impacts on cropping intensity and percentage of gross cropped area of reclaimed sodic lands and normal lands under oilseeds, pulses and vegetables.