Cropping Pattern and Land Degradation in Kasaragod, Kerala

Abstract

The consequence of the Green Revolution and the continued impact of globalisation and economicreform policies, the agricultural sector in the Kasaragod district witnessed a paradigm shift. For ahigher yield and high income the farmers apply fertilisers and pesticides without considering itsimpact on even the the minmimum requirments. Similarly, the diversification of crops from foodcrops to non-food crops and from one non-food crop to yet another non-food crop also emerged. Allthese factors have caused challenges to the agricultural sector and created a conflict in the form ofland degradation. This study shows that there is constant and continuous decline in both soil healthand in soil fertility in general and also in the decline of P, K soil status and pH status in the rubbercropped areas as compared to other cropped areas in the district.