Agricultural Land Use and Crop Diversification Trends in Hisar District: A Multi-Decadal Analysis (1991-2011)

Abstract

Urban expansion has significantly altered agricultural land use by disrupting the traditional farming patterns and indirectly influencing crop selection over time. The farmers face increasing pressure to prioritize high-yield cash crops over diversified farming systems as urbanization encroaches on cultivable land which increases the burden on farmers to balance productivity with limited land area. This study examines the multi-decadal transformation of agricultural land use in Hisar District of Haryana for three census time periods (1991, 2001, and 2011) and simultaneous changes in cropping intensity and crop diversification. Using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and the Crop Diversification Index (CDI), the study quantifies the declining trend in crop diversity and growing dependence on select dominant crops. The findings indicate a steady rise in HHI values revealing greater crop concentration while the corresponding decline in CDI scores shows reduced crop diversity across different blocks in Hisar district. This shift has significant implications for soil health, economic stability, and long-term agricultural sustainability, as decreased crop diversity increases susceptibility to market risks and has environmental implications that include soil depletion and loss in soil fertility. The study underscores the need for integrated land-use policies in urban planning that promote diversified cropping systems and mitigate the adverse effects of urban expansion on agricultural sector.