2024, Vol. 9, Special Issue 2

The cropping pattern represents the agricultural economy of a region or area and is a key factor in determining the level of agricultural production. The present study was conducted to know the changes in the cropping pattern of Maharashtra using absolute and relative changes and coefficient of variation analysis. Time series data on the area under different crops grown from the period 2001-02 to 2020-21 were collected and analyzed for four regions wise and its division wise of Maharashtra. The results revealed that, over the period of study in Vidarbha region area under kharif jowar over base year showed negative absolute and relative change in area. Soybean showed positive absolute and relative change in the area. The cotton crop showed negative absolute and relative change in area. In Marathwada region, over base year, Rabi jowar and wheat showed negative absolute and relative change in area. The absolute and relative change for area in soybean was positive. While, in Western Maharashtra region except kharif bajra and Rabi jowar all the selected crop showed positive absolute and relative change in the area over base year. Sugarcane is one of the cash crop grown in Western Maharashtra region, the absolute and relative change in area was positive. In Konkan region absolute and relative change in area of kharif paddy were negative.