Agricultural Land Use and Crop Production in Haryana: A Geographical Analysis

Abstract

Haryana is one of the most agriculturally advanced states of India, contributing significantly to the national food grain pool. Despite its small geographical area, the state records high cropping intensity and substantial agricultural output owing to widespread irrigation and favourable topography. This paper examines the spatial pattern of agricultural land use, cropping intensity, and major crop production across selected districts of Haryana for the period 2001 to 2019. Primary and secondary data from government sources including the Statistical Abstract of Haryana, District Census Handbooks, and Haryana Agricultural Statistics were used. Analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel for tabulation, graphical representation, and statistical computation. Results reveal that the net sown area constitutes over 62% of the total geographical area, with districts of Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani, and Karnal showing the highest agricultural land use. Cropping intensity has increased from 172% in 2001 to 189% in 2018, driven by expansion of canal and tube-well irrigation. Wheat and paddy dominate the cropping pattern, accounting for nearly 70% of total crop area. However, over-reliance on these two crops has raised ecological concerns including groundwater depletion, soil degradation, and loss of crop diversity. The paper concludes with policy-oriented suggestions for sustainable agricultural development in the region.