DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2014.v02i03.004

Pages: 391-395

Agricultural land use means the extent of the gross cropped area during the agricultural year under various crops. It is the result of the decision made by the farmers regarding the choice of crops and methods for production. Baramati tahsil is situated in east part in Pune district covering 1382 square kilometer area and having 429690 populations (2011). This taluka consists of 117 revenue villages with one urban settlement. Administratively, this taluka has divided into six revenue circles. Population density of taluka is 311 persons per square kilometer (2011). The study region extends from 18º 2΄ 44’’ N to 18° 23΄19’’ North latitudes and 74° 13΄ 8’’ E to 74° 42΄ 47’’ East longitudes. The region falls under scarcity zone having rainfall between 400 to 500 mm. Monsoon generally commences in June, occurring highest rainfall in June (158 mm) and lowest in December (12 mm). The highest mean temperature is observed in May (34.60 centigrade) and lowest in January (18.50 centigrade). The slope of region is towards northwest and southeast. The study area has basaltic base having step like topography. Baramati tahsil is somewhat rectangular in shape. The study region is mainly agrarian having 84.89 percent net sown area of the total geographical area. The present study focuses on spatial distribution of agricultural crops in the Baramati tahsil. The spatial distribution and their temporal variations have been studied for the period from 1991-2011. The data regarding crops have collected for 117 villages from concerned talukas from talathi, sarpanch and tahsil office. The collected data was then converted into percentage to net sown area. Later on, these crops percentages were arranged into different groups and finally spatial distribution was studied for nine crops in the study area. Such type of study represents real situation of cropping pattern of Baramati Tahsil, Pune District and helps to planners, agricultural scientists and research scholars.