Farm Size and Cropping Pattern: A Case Study of Dharwad District in Karnataka State

Cropping pattern comprehends both time and sequence of crops. It includes identification of the most efficient crops of a region which is considered homogeneous soil and crops fits and the intensity of cropping. A change in cropping pattern implies a change in the proportionate area under different crops. An increase in the area under high value crop is likely to result in an increase in total return even if there is no increase in the yield rate or price provided there is simultaneous decrease in the proportionate area under equally or more valuable crops. Farm size is a major factor in influencing the cropping pattern. Small farms dominate agricultural economy of most of the developing countries including India. Small farmers are largely poor and depend upon their farms for their sustenance. Hence, they go in for food crops on these small farms in preference commercial crops. Medium and large farmers diversify their cropping and devote a good part of their farms for different crops. The study has revealed that area under food crops has gone up in small, medium and large farms in Dharwad district. However, area under cereals has declined under small and medium size farms. Similar is the case with regard to condiments and spices. Area under fruits has gone up but area under vegetables has declined marginally in small, medium and large size farms in the district. Area under oilseeds has gone up considerably under small, medium and large size farms. Price variations and income factors seem to have influenced cropping pattern in the study area apart from natural factors like rainfall and climate.