Impact of Micro Irrigation on Cropping Pattern in Vaijapur Tehsil of Aurangabad District

Micro-irrigation gained prevalence when the Parliament was rocked with issue of farmer suicides. Sensing the significance and probable benefits of the process to double the farmers’ income along with agricultural sustainability and environmental quality, the Union government launched a comprehensive flagship programme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana or “more crop per drop”. Micro-irrigation can increase yields and decrease water, fertiliser and labour requirements. Present study found that in Vaijapur taluka cotton is the most widely grown crop, followed by maize, onion, Bajri, Gram, and wheat in Vaijapur Tehsil. This study also found that the percentage of cultivated land of Vaijapur taluka to the total cultivated land of Aurangabad district and coverage area under micro irrigation has been increased. According to the respondents, some minor changes occurred in cropping pattern due to MIS in Vaijapur taluka. Changes in cropping patterns and the use of micro irrigation methods for land cultivation are suggested as remedies for the water management in drought prone area