Determinants of Crop Diversification in Coastal Odisha, India: Empirical Evidence Using Panel Analysis
Pratyasha Priyadarshini
Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India.
Akhilesh Kumar Gupta *
Department of Agricultural Statistics, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India.
Jeebanjyoti Behera
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Agriculture in coastal Odisha is predominantly characterised by paddy cultivation, resulting in considerable dependence on a single crop. This concentration exposes farmers to production and market-related risks associated with monsoon variability, flooding and procurement uncertainties. Crop diversification offers an opportunity to broaden the cropping pattern and reduce such dependence. However, its trends and determinants across the coastal districts require systematic investigation.
Aim: This study examines trends in the extent of crop diversification in coastal Odisha over three decades and identifies the major factors associated with diversification across seven coastal districts.
Study Design: A longitudinal, district-level panel study based on secondary agricultural statistics.
Place and Duration of Study: Seven coastal districts of Odisha, India, covering the period from 1993–94 to 2022–23.
Methodology: District-level data on five major crop groups—paddy, mung (green gram), biri (black gram), groundnut and vegetables—were analysed. Compound annual growth rates were estimated to evaluate changes in crop area. Crop diversification was measured using Simpson’s Diversification Index and Shannon’s Entropy Index. Panel regression analysis was used to examine the associations of cropping intensity, rainfall, gross irrigated area, fertiliser consumption and rice yield with crop diversification. Fixed-effects models with Driscoll–Kraay robust standard errors were selected based on diagnostic tests to address serial correlation, cross-sectional dependence and heteroscedasticity.
Results: Total cropped area declined in all seven districts, with statistically significant declines in six. Paddy area also declined in six districts. Groundnut area contracted sharply, whereas mung was the main expanding crop. The regression results showed a statistically significant positive association between rice yield and crop diversification and a statistically significant negative association between fertiliser consumption and diversification. Rainfall, gross irrigated area and cropping intensity had positive but statistically insignificant coefficients.
Conclusion: Crop diversification was evident across coastal Odisha but varied among districts. Strengthening input support for vegetables, oilseeds and pulses, improving irrigation facilities and encouraging a wider range of crops may support more sustainable diversification.
Keywords: Growth rate, crop diversification, simpson index, shannon entropy, panel data