MYSURU DISTRICT TALUK-WISE AGRICULTURAL CROP DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION: A GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract: Agriculture is a major component of the rural economy and cultural landscape of the Mysuru district in southern Karnataka. The pattern of distribution of agricultural crops varies greatly from one taluk to another because of variations in rainfall, soil, irrigation, relief, ground water availability, agro-climatic conditions, market accessibility and agricultural methods. The present study deals with the taluk wise distribution and production of major agricultural crops in the district of Mysuru with special reference to cereals and millets, pulses, oilseeds, commercial crops, plantation crops and horticultural crops. The study mainly relies on secondary data for the year 2023-24 from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, Mysuru. The agricultural profile gives information at taluk level for nine administrative units, namely, H.D. Kote, Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Mysuru, Nanjangud, Periyapatana, Saligrama, Saraguru and T. Narasipura. The analysis reveals significant spatial differentiation. T. Narasipura is famous for its vast paddy area and sugarcane production, Periyapatana and Hunsur have large ragi cultivation. H.D. Kote and Hunsur are important maize producing areas. Nanjangud is a major producer of paddy, sugarcane, pulses and horticultural products. Irrigation also showed great spatial variation with T. Narasipura having the highest percentage of net irrigated area. The study concludes that the agricultural system in Mysuru district is diversified and spatially differentiated and suggests that future agricultural planning should adopt taluk specific strategies.

Keywords: Agricultural Geography, Mysuru district, taluk, crop distribution, crop production, irrigation, paddy, ragi, maize, sugarcane.