Assessing spatiotemporal patterns of crop combination and crop concentration in Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir

Agriculture is considered to be the mainstay of the Indian economy. However, with changing climatic, land use, and dietary patterns, the cropping pattern has also undergone a paradigm shift. The nature of agriculture has become more diversified, and much focus is given to farming based on agro-climatic and agro-ecological regions. Crop combination and crop concentration enable us to understand the cropping pattern of a region and help in agricultural planning. The present paper attempts to analyze the crop combination and concentration in the study area, which depend on various human (socioeconomic, cultural, technological, etc.) and non-human (physical, geo-climatic, etc.) parameters. An attempt has been made to compare two time periods, 2014–2015 and 2018–2019, across various districts of Jammu Division. The study area experiences a wide variety of agro-climatic conditions that support the cultivation of various food and non-food crops. Secondary data have been collected from the Digest of Statistics 2014–2015 and 2018–2019. Weaver's (1954) and Rafiullah's (1956) methods have been used to calculate crop combinations. The crop concentration of the study region has been analyzed using the location quotient method. Maps have been prepared using Arc GIS to present a comprehensive picture. Moreover, a detailed analysis has been done to find out the reasons for the changing agricultural patterns. Wheat is found to be a common crop, while paddy, a Kharif crop, is predominantly concentrated in the southern and southwestern districts of the study region. Promoting diverse crop cultivation, including fodder and bajra in arid regions, ensuring government support will enhance soil fertility and farmer income. Initiatives like subsidized seeds, education, and market access will further improve sustainability and reduce reliance on a narrow range of crops.