Author(s): P. NAG, A. LEPCHA AND K.K. DAS

Abstract: Sustained pressure on agricultural land coupled with rather stagnated agricultural performance (yield, profitability) adds to the vulnerability context and plight of the agrarian economy in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Crop diversification is regarded as a risk management strategy and income augmenting proposition. The present study attempts to explore the extent and determinants of crop diversification in Jalpaiguri district – by utilizing both secondary data as well as primary data. Primary data, corresponding to agricultural year 2019-20, have been collected from 50 farming households of Dhupguri block following multi-stage random sampling technique. Magnitude of Simpson Diversification Index (0.79-0.80) indicates good level of crop diversification in Jalpaiguri district during 2000-01 to 2016-17 period; the same is observed to be 0.70 during 2019-20 when calculated from primary data. Allocation pattern of agricultural land is tilting towards crops like potato, maize, vegetables and spices with simultaneous decline in acreage under aus paddy, wheat, oilseeds, pulses, jute, etc. Factor analysis identifies significant positive determinants like training exposure (p<5.0), number of farm family adults (p<5.0), and negative factor like distance of crop field(s) from residence (p<1.0) to influence extent of crop diversification.Besides being focusing due attention towards these significant determinants, key infrastructures (like road, supply chain management mechanism, information communication, etc.) development and better institutional arrangement (exposure visits, access to farm credit, mechanization) are essential for promoting positive intent on crop diversification among farming folks.

DOI: 10.22271/09746315.2021.v17.i2.1471

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