Geo-Spatial Analysis of Area and Production of Foodgrain Sector in Karnataka: A Trend Analysis

Abstract

Food-grain production constitutes an important component of Karnataka’s agricultural economy and plays a significant role in rural employment, food security, household income stability, poverty reduction, agricultural farmers' improvement, and regional development. They cover a large portion of the state's farmland, providing daily food and nutrition to millions of people. Crops like ragi in the south and jowar in the north are perfectly suited for dry weather. This makes them highly reliable for poor farmers who depend on rainfall. Cultivating foodgrains creates steady jobs for rural families and keeps local markets stable. The present study examines the temporal trend and spatial dimensions of area and production of food grains in Karnataka during 2015–16 to 2024–25. The study also adopts a geo-spatial perspective to understand regional variations associated with Karnataka's diverse agro-climatic conditions.
The findings indicate that the area under foodgrains increased from 73.38 lakh hectares in 2015–16 to 85.71 lakh hectares in 2024–25, representing a CAGR of about 1.74 percent. Food-grain production increased from 96.44 lakh tonnes to 151.57 lakh tonnes during the same period, registering a CAGR of about 5.15 percent. Productivity increased from approximately 1,314 kg per hectare to 1,768 kg per hectare, with a CAGR of about 3.35 percent. However, the series shows considerable year-to-year fluctuations, particularly during years affected by rainfall variability and agricultural stress. The study concludes that the long-term improvement in food-grain production has been driven not only by expansion of cultivated area but also by improvements in productivity. Spatially differentiated agricultural planning, irrigation development, climate-resilient technologies, improved seed varieties and region-specific crop planning are essential for sustaining food-grain production in Karnataka.

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