The main purpose of the present paper is to reveal the changes in cropping intensity in Rajasthan during 1994-95, 2004-05 and 2014-15. The study is of three folds; The first part studies the spatial patterns of cropping intensity for 1994-95, 2004-05 and 2014-15. While, the second part finds out the changes which have taken place during this time period in Rajasthan and factors responsible. Whereas in third part, conclusions are drawn and suggestions are made. The paper has deduced that in 1994-95, average intensity of cropping in Rajasthan was 120.13 per cent, which has increased to 127.27 per cent in 2004-05 and 142.98 percent in 2014-15. Thus, 22.85 percent of positive volume of change is noted. It is also found that the western parts of Rajasthan are having comparatively low cropping intensity as compare to eastern parts. The reasons responsible for high variations in spatial distribution of cropping intensity during three time periods are; the nature of topography, soils, rainfall regime, cropping pattern, extent of irrigation, degree of farm mechanization, farmers’ attitude, government policies, etc. The study further reveals that in 1994-95, there were 7 districts with low cropping intensity (less than 120 per cent) which has decreased to 6 districts in 2004-05 and further declined to only 1 district in 2014-15. On the other hand, the districts with moderate and high cropping intensity have increased during study period which is quite evident from fig. 2,3 and 4. The study has further observed that reasons for high cropping intensity in eastern parts of Rajasthan are largely the result of high extent of irrigation and comparatively high rainfall as compare to western parts. The present paper is based on secondary sources of data. The unit of study is district. Three time periods are taken for studying the changes in cropping intensity from 1994-95 to 2014-15. Statistical methods and cartographic techniques are applied in the present study.
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2022: 6.012
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