THE STUDY OF CHANGING SUGARCANE CULTIVATION AREA IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The present research examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of sugarcane cultivation in Solapur district, Maharashtra, with a focus on the period 2023–24 to 2024–25. Agriculture continues to be the backbone of India’s economy, and sugarcane holds a pivotal role as a commercial crop, supporting sugar, jaggery, and allied industries. The study uses secondary data sources such as socio-economic reviews, agricultural records, and district statistics to analyze changing patterns at the tahsil level. Results reveal that the total sugarcane area in Solapur increased significantly from 1,50,586 hectares in 2023–24 to 2,12,078 hectares in 2024–25, marking a net rise of 61,492 hectares. This expansion, however, is highly uneven across the district. Tahsils like Akkalkot, Madha, Mohol, and Pandharpur recorded substantial growth due to improved irrigation, groundwater exploitation, and the spread of sugar industries, whereas Karmala, Barshi, and South Solapur experienced declines. The findings emphasize the decisive role of irrigation facilities, soil types, rainfall distribution, and cropping patterns in influencing sugarcane expansion. Furthermore, the growing reliance on water-intensive crops in drought-prone Solapur highlights pressing concerns about water sustainability. The study underlines the urgent need for integrated water management, crop diversification, and adoption of modern irrigation techniques to balance agricultural productivity with ecological security.