THE ASSESSMENT OF NET SOWN AREA AND RURAL SETTLEMENT IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT: A GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH

Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between net sown area and rural settlement patterns in Solapur district, a semi-arid region of Maharashtra. In 2022–23, the district reported 70.48% of its geographical area under cultivation, with high net sown percentages in Pandharpur (83.55%), Barshi (83.29%), and North Solapur (82.31%), where fertile black soils and irrigation have encouraged intensive farming and compact settlements. Conversely, drought-prone tahsils like Sangola (42.25%) and Malshiras (61.11%) recorded low cultivation, resulting in dispersed settlements and higher dependence on non-agricultural activities. Rural household data from the 2011 Census show Malshiras and Pandharpur as settlement-dense regions, while North Solapur recorded the lowest concentration. Spearman’s Rank Correlation (r = 0.40) indicates a moderate positive relationship between net sown area and rural households, though deviations highlight the role of rainfall, irrigation, migration, and urban influence. The findings emphasize that physical geography and socio-economic conditions jointly shape settlement distribution and stress the need for integrated water management, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood diversification to reduce regional disparities in Solapur district.