Project-2: Changing trend in agricultural land use pattern

The changing cropping pattern contributes significantly to the land use change. As agriculture covers large part of our country’s geographical area agricultural land use change study bears great relevance. With agricultural land use change there is remarkable change in biodiversity with respect to associated weed, pests and pathogens. The change in fertilizers and chemicals use has significant impact on soil and ground water contamination. Cropping system affects the farmer’s economy as well as sustainability in long run. Land use mapping is part of the area feature mapping. While mapping agricultural land use crop practices over the year including fallow periods may be noted. Seasonal fallow and fallow for a period of more than one year may be indicated

Objective
1. To record agricultural land use changes over time (since last 20/40 years)
2. To analyze causes/drivers/pressure leading to these changes
3. To list out possible consequences and
4. To finally prepare a land use history of the chosen crop land
Methodology
• Select 50 respondent farmers aged above 50 years in the surrounding areas/region
• Identify and visit the cropland unit of each farmer
• Make the record of all crops and fallow in the following format and fill up three such formats for (a) present situation, (b) 20 years back, (c) 40 years back for each farmer through participatory approach

note:Table not included

Develop the timeline for agricultural land use pattern and write about a land use history for the chosen area
Identify the causes and effects of change in land use pattern

Relevance:
This project will help the students to understand the history of agricultural land use system of their locality along with related forcing functions like knowledge and economic standard of farmer, size of farm unit, resource availability, marked demand as well as other social factors.