International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Vinayak TH, Mallikarjuna HB, Nagaraja MS, Kiran Kumar R Patil and Vinaya Kumar HM

abstract
Crop diversification is a crucial strategy for building resilient agricultural systems in India. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal patterns of crop diversification in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, over a 20-year period (2003-04 to 2022-23) using the Entropy Index (EI) and Herfindahl Index (HI). The results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity, with a clear polarization among taluks. While taluks like Bhadravathi and Shivamogga are increasingly specializing in fewer crops, others such as Soraba, Sagara, and Hosanagara have successfully diversified their crop base. Temporally, the analysis identifies three distinct phases of stability, volatility, and divergence, culminating in a recent and concerning trend of re-specialization across several taluks after 2020-21. The findings indicate that diversification in the district is a dynamic and non-linear process, with recent gains appearing fragile. This underscores the need for decentralized, context-specific agricultural policies tailored to the divergent trajectories of individual taluks, rather than a uniform district-wide strategy.