Title: ASSESSMENT OF CROP SHIFTING IN CHHOTAUDEPUR DISTRICT

Authors: Prekxa A. Patel, Sunil R. Patel and Pinakin C. Patel

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: crop shifting, cropping pattern, pigeon pea, climate adaptation

Volume: 41

Issue: 2

Year: June 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2026.41.2.0017

Abstract: Agricultural production in tribal regions is increasingly influenced by climatic variability, resource constraints and changing market conditions, leading farmers to modify their cropping patterns to improve profitability and reduce production risks. The present study was undertaken to assess the extent of crop shifting among farmers and to examine the relationship between selected socio-economic, communication and psychological characteristics of farmers and their crop shifting behaviour in Chhotaudepur district of Gujarat. An ex-post-facto research design was employed for the study. Out of seven talukas of the district, Sankheda and Bodeli talukas were selected randomly. A total of 120 farmers were selected through random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The extent of crop shifting was measured using the Crop Shifting Index (CSI), which quantified changes in area allocation under different crops between the base year (2022) and the current year (2026). The collected data were coded, classified and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency, percentage and Pearson's correlation coefficient were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that 48.34 per cent of the respondents belonged to the moderate crop shifting category, followed by 42.50 per cent in the low crop shifting category and 5.83 per cent in the high crop shifting category. A substantial increase in the area under pigeon pea cultivation was observed from 2.66 per cent in 2022 to 51.25 per cent in 2026, whereas the area under maize declined from 22.90 per cent to 14.21 per cent during the same period. Correlation analysis indicated that landholding (r = 0.754**), annual income (r = 0.366**) and market orientation (r = 0.260**) had a positive and highly significant relationship with crop shifting. Farming experience (r = 0.228*), mass media exposure (r = 0.211*), innovativeness (r = 0.221*) and adaptation to climate change (r = 0.201*) exhibited a positive and significant relationship with crop shifting behaviour. The study highlights the importance of economic resources, market access and information exposure in influencing crop shifting decisions among farmers.