17
CHANGES IN POSITION OF MAIZE CULTIVATION IN THE CROPPING PATTERN OF
HIMACHAL PRADESH: 1990-91 TO 2014-15
Shivjeet Kaur 1, Jaswinder Kaur 2 and K. S Sohal3
1

Assistant Professor, 2Research Scholar and 3Former Professor and Head,
Department of Geography, Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab, India
Email: jaswinderkk09@gmail.com

How to cite this paper:
Kaur,
Shivjeet,
Kaur,
Jaswinder and Sohal, K. S.
(2021) Changes in Positionof Maize Cultivation in the
Cropping
PatternofHimachal Pradesh: 1990-91
to 2014-15, Journal of Global
Resources, Vol. 07 (02)DOI:
10.46587/JGR.2021.v07i02.017

Received: 15 Feb. 2021
Reviewed: 25 April 2021
Revised: 18 May 2021
Final Accepted: 09 June 2021

Freely available Online

www.isdesr.org

Abstract: The study of ranking of crops is first step towards
agricultural regionalization, because for demarcating crop
regions, ranking of crops is the base. The major objective of
this research paper is to findout the changes in spatial
patterns of position of maize crop among the cropping
pattern of Himachal Pradesh during 1990-91 to 2014-15. For
achieving this aim,the study is of three folds: First part deals
with spatial patterns of maize position in 1990-91 and 201415. Second part evaluates the changes in position of maizecrop and identifies factors responsible for these changes.
While conclusions are drawn and suggestions are made inthird part. The study has found that the position of maize as
second rank crop increases from east to west in 1990-91 as
well as 2014-15, which is largely the result of geo-climaticconditions. It is also deduced that maize occupied first rank
in 13 tehsils, second position in 49 tehsils, third position in
11 tehsils, fourth rank in 3 tehsils and above fourth rank inremaining tehsils in 1990-91. While number of tehsils is 10,45, 12, 5 and 13 as first, second, third, fourth and above
fourth rank of maize in cropping pattern respectively in 201415. It is also deduced that 51 tehsils have experienced nochange in their position, while 12 tehsils have noted negativechange and 22 tehsils recorded positive change in theirranking order during study period. All these ups and downs
in the ranking order of maize crop are largely the result ofpartly geo-climatic conditions and partly of socio-economic
parameters. The present study is empirical in nature and isbased on secondary sources of data which is collected
personally from alltehsils headquarters of Himachal Pradesh
and also from other state offices. Unit of study is tehsil. Twotime periods of 1990-91 and 2014-15 are selected. For eachtime period, three years averages are taken. Statisticaltechniques are used and cartographic methods are applied
for mapping the results.
Keywords: Ranking, Regionalization, Cropping Pattern

Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 164 | 11

Introduction
Maize or corn is a cereal crop that is grown widely throughout the world in a range of agroecological environments. Maize is the most widely produced crop in the world. This cereal,
which originated in Mexico, is now grown in at least 164 countries around the world with a total
production of more than 1 billion metric tons in 2013 (Kumar & Prasher, 2012). Maize is oneof most important cereal crops in the world and globally call queen of cereals, because of its
highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. It is a stapple food to large chunk of theworld population and also an important ingredient in food, feed and a large number of industrial
products. It has acquired a dominant role in the agricultural sector and in the macro economyof Asian region. Maize uses as food for humans, feed for poultry and cattle, highquality
industrial starches (Mauria and Gupta, 1998).Maize occupies a pride place among coarse
cereal crops in India with the rise in standard of living population and to fetch higher prices
from maize cultivation, an increase in maize area for its diversified use, like pop corn, sweet
corn, baby corn, quality protein maize, etc. is being noticed, particularly in peri urban agriculture(Singh and Choudhary, 2008).Maize occupies an important position in Indian agriculture.
Among cereals, it ranks fifth in area and third in production in the country. It can be used atany stage of its growth (Rai, et al., 2005). Maize is used as human food and livestock feed.It
is these diverse combinations that made maize so important to the rest of the world as it
augmented other crops as a food and livestock feed (Wikipedia).The study of ranking of crops
grown in the cropping pattern of a region/ state / country becomes necessary, because it
throws light on the significance of individual crops. From ranking, one can understand theposition of a crop in the given cropping pattern of a region (Weaver, 1954).In 2014-15 India
produces 243 lakh tons from an area of 90.6 lakh hectares, while Himachal Pradesh produces
6.52 lakh tons from 2.9 lakhs hectares. Thus, Himachal Pradesh ranks 11th in area as well as
production of maize in India’s maize area and production (Agricultural Statistics at a Glance,2016). The cop ranking is generally done on dominance of area under specific crops. Thus,
elements for measuring the ranking of crops are: area under the individual crops and total
cropped area (Sohal, 2003). In the present paper, for evaluation of changes in the rank ofmaize in the cropping pattern crops like rice, wheat, maize, pulses, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds
and fodder are taken The cultivation of these crops is the direct impact of climate, soils,
physiography, drainage, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, etc.
Study Area
Himachal Pradesh is situated in the lap of Himalayan ranges in the North -West of the country.
It extends between 300 22' 44" N latitude to 330 12' 40" N latitude and 750 40' 55" E longitudes
to 790 04' 20" E longitudes.It covers 55,673 sq. km.area, which is about 1.69 percent of India's
total reporting area. The climate of Himachal Pradesh ranges between sub-tropical totemperate. The mean annual temperature of Himachal Pradeshvaries between – 40c in
extreme northern parts to 300c in the south-western parts particularly in Una district. While its
average annual rainfall varies from 70 cms. to 300 cms. Total population of the study region is68,56,509 persons according to 2011 census. For administrative purpose, there are 85 tehsils
which are grouped into 12 districts.
Objectives
1. To explain spatial patterns of ranking of crops for 1990-91and 2014-15.
2. To find out the changes in ranking order of maize in the cropping pattern during
study period.
3. To highlight the factors responsible for changes in ranking of maize crop.
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 165 | 11

Methodology and Sources of Data
Secondary sources of data is taken for the present study, which is collected particularly fromall tehsil’sheadquarters. Tehsil is selected as unit of study. For each time periodi.e., 1990-91
and 2014-15, three years averages are taken. In the present paper, for the evaluation ofchanges in the ranking of maize crop in the cropping pattern,crops included are wheat, maize,
rice, pulses, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and fodder crops. For deriving the results, Weaver’s(1954) method is used and for presentation the results,simple choropleth technique is applied.
Discussion
The presentpaper is divided into three parts:A.Position of Maize Crop in the Cropping Pattern of Himachal Pradeesh: 1990-91.
B.Positionof MaizeCrop in the Cropping Pattern of Himachal Pradesh: 2014-15.
C.Changes in Position of Maize Crop in the Cropping Pattern of Himachal Pradesh: 1990-91
to 2014-15.
A. Position of Maize Crop in the Cropping Pattern of Himachal Pradesh: 1990-91
Maize cultivation enjoyed second rank in the overall cropping pattern of Himachal Pradesh in
1990-91, though its rank was not uniformly distributed throughout the study region, because it
varied from first rank to seventh rank. First rank covered majority of the tehsils and seventh
rank was found in only three tehsils namely Spiti, Dodrakwar and Pooh. Hence, to know
reasons responsible for these great variations in ranking order of maize cultivation in different
tehsils of the study area in 1990-91, fig. 2 is mapped which depicts five categories:
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 166 | 11

1. Maize as First Rank Crop
It comprised of thirteen tehsils and covered 15.29 percent of total occurrences. These tehsils
were Bilaspur Sadar, Churah, Chamba, Salooni, Dalhousie, Bharmaur, Theog, Rajgarh, Solan,
Kasauli, Baddi, Arki and Kandaghat. This category had two belts: first belt lied in north-westernparts having tehsils of Chamba, Churah, Salooni, Dalhousie and Bharmaur. Here, reasons forfirst ranking of maize crop in cropping pattern were presence of hills and mountains, undulating
and dissected terrain, high rainfall, poor irrigation facilities, stapple food etc.Thus, farmers
preferred maize cultivation, because rice could not be grown successfully in suchconditionssupplemented by assured economic returns from maize as compare to rice. Whilesecond belt had seven tehsils namely Bilaspur Sadar, Theog, Rajgarh, Solan, Baddi, Kasauli,Kandaghat and Arki. In this belt also, physical as well as socio-economic conditions werefavorable for its cultivation as compare to rice, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 167 | 11

Table 01: Himachal Pradesh, Position of Maize Crop in Cropping Pattern: 1990-91
#
1
2
3
4
5

Tehsils
Bilaspur Sadar
Jandutta
Naina Devi ji
Ghumarwin
Pangi

Percent
1
2
2
2
7

#
44
45
46
47
48

Tehsils
Spiti
Mandi
Sundernagar
Sarkaghat
Jogindernagar

Percent
7
2
2
2
3

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

ChurahChambaSalooniDalhousie
Bhattiyat
Bharmaur
Hamirpur
Bhoranj
BarsarNadaunSujanpurBaijnath
PalampurJaisinghpur
Dharmshala
Shahpur

1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
3

49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64

KarsogChchyot
ThunagBaldwara
Bali Chowki
Sandhol
PaddharNihri
Lad Bharol
RampurKumarsain
Suni
Shimla (R)Shimla (U)Theog
Kotkhai

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
5
3
2
2
2
1
3

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

NurpurIndoraJawali
Fatehpur
Dehra
Jaswan Kotla
RakkarJawalamukhi
KhundyianKangraNagrota Bagwan

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3

65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75

JubbalRohru
Chirgaon
Dodrakwar
Chopal
Nahan
Paonta Sahib
PachhadRajgarh
Shillai
Renuka ji

4
3
5
7
3
2
2
2
1
2
2

33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42

Baroh
Kalpa
Moorang
PoohNichar
SanglaKullu
ManaliBanjarNirmand

2
4
5
7
6
4
2
2
2
2

76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85

Solan
Nalagarh
Kasauli
Baddi
Arki
Kandaghat
Una
Amb
Bangana
Haroli

1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2

43

Lahaul5

Region`s Average : 2 Rank Crop

Source: Tehsil- Wise Lal Kitabs of Himachal Pradesh: 1989 to 1992

2.
Maize as Second Rank Crop
This category covered 49 tehsils which includes 57.64 percent of total occurrences.Thesetehsils were Jandutta, Ghumarwin, Naina Devi ji, Bhattiyat, Hamirpur, Bhoranj, Barsar,
Nadaun, Sujanpur, Jaisinghpur, Nurpur, Indora, Jawali, Fatehpur, Dehra, Jaswan Kotla,
Rakkar, Jawalamukhi, Khundiyan, Baroh, Kullu, Manali, Banjar, Nirmand, Mandi,
Sundernagar, Sarkaghat, Karsog, Chchyot, Thunag, Baldwara, Bali-Chowki, Sandhol,
Paddhar, Nihri, Lad-Bharol, Shimla (R), Shimla (U), Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Pachhad, Shillai,
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 168 | 11

Renuka ji, Nalagarh, Una, Amb, Bangana and Haroli. Here, geo-climatic and socio-economic
conditions were favourable for maize cultivation in kharif season, but in rabi season wheat is
predominant crop which covered more areas and ranks first in the cropping pattern. Though inall these tehsils, maize was enjoying first rank in kharif season, but in overall cropping pattern
its position was second owing to first position of wheat.
3.
Maize as Third Rank Crop
There were two belts which contained eleven tehsils and 12.94 percent of total occurrences.
Tehsils included in this category were namely Baijnath, Palampur, Dharmshala, Shahpur,
Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan, Jogindernagar, Kumarsain, Kotkhai, Rohru and Chopal. First belt
lied in Kangra district and includes Baijnath, Palampur, Dharmshala, Shahpur, Kangra,
Nagrota Bagwan. Here, the third position of maize in cropping pattern was due to presence ofPalampur Valley, availability of irrigation water from kuhls, high rainfall during summers, higher
and assured economic returns from rice than maize. While second belt covered tehsils of
Rohru, Kotkhai, Kumarsain and Chopal. In these tehsils, mountains, temperate climaticconditions, heavy snowfall during winters, steep gradient, etc. created excellent conditions forthe cultivation of fruits, wheat, etc. and as a result maize pushed to third position in cropping
pattern by these crops.
4.
Maize as Fourth Rank Crop
Three tehsils namely Kalpa, Sangla and Jubbal formed this category, which contained 3.53
percent of total occurrences. In these tehsils, fruits, vegetables, wheat, barley and millets werepredominant crops, because of severe winters, having snowfall, mountainous topography,
steep slopes and less developed socio-economic conditions, etc. These were not ideal
conditions for maize crop and as a result, it had fourth position.
5.
Maize as Above Fourth Rank Crop
It was a continuous belt, where position of maize crop varied from fifth to seventh. It had ninetehsils namely Pangi, Moorang, Pooh, Nichar, Lahaul, Spiti, Rampur, Chirgaon andDodrakwar.
Here, occurrence of heavy snowfall during winters which started melting after month of April
and allow very short growing period of crops like maize, pulses, etc. Thus, owing to severe
geo-climatic conditions, farmers preferred wheat, fruits (especially apple orchards) andvegetables as compare to maize. Wheat generally sown before starting of winter season andafter melting of snow, wheat started growing when enough heat became available after themonth of April. With the melting of snow, it started growing and maturing. Therefore, undersuch conditions farmers hardly grow maize on gentle slopes for their domestic consumption,
which pushed it to negligible share in cropping pattern. Thus, these were the main reasons for
insignificant position of maize crop in these parts of Himachal Pradesh.
B. Patterns of Position of Maize Crop in the Cropping Pattern of HP, 2014-15
Maize is enjoying first position in kharif season but second in overall cropping pattern of
Himachal Pradesh during 2014-15. Spatially speaking, all tehsils of the study region do nothave second rank in their overall cropping pattern, but varies between first to seventh rank.
Thus, to find out reasons responsible for this uneven distribution of ranking order in maize
cultivation, an attempt is made with the help of fig. 3 and table no. 2 which display fivecategories and these are discussed below:
1. First Rank Crop
It includes ten tehsils which are found in two belts. First belt has three tehsils of Chamba district
namely Chamba, Churah and Salooni. But, second belt contains seven tehsils which are
Jandutta, Ghumarwin, Sundernagar, Chchyot, Thunag, Baldwara and Bali-Chowki. These
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 169 | 11

areas are hilly and mountainous areaswith steep slopes, absence of irrigation, high rainfall,
staple food, etc. and are the main reasons for its first rank, because in such conditions,cultivation of other crops like rice is not possible particularly during kharif season. Moreover,in rabi season, due to snowfall and severe climatic conditions, less area is under rabi crops
especially wheat.
2. Maize as Second Rank Crop
This is the largest category which confines to western half of Himachal Pradesh with certain
interruptions. These tehsils fall in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur,
Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi and Kullu. All these areas have hilly, mountainous, undulating
and dissected topography, moderate to high rainfall, nearly absence of irrigation, soil shallow
in depth which is moderate in fertility, use of maize as food and fodder, etc. All these factors
are responsible for second rank in the cropping pattern, though maize enjoys first rank in kharif
cropping pattern.

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Table 02: Himachal Pradesh, Position of Maize Crop in Cropping Pattern: 2014-15
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

Tehsils
Bilaspur Sadar
Jandutta
Naina Devi ji
Ghumarwin
Pangi
ChurahChambaSalooniDalhousie
Bhattiyat
Bharmaur
Hamirpur
Bhoranj
BarsarNadaunSujanpurBaijnath
PalampurJaisinghpur
Dharmshala
Shahpur
NurpurIndoraJawali
Fatehpur
Dehra
Jaswan Kotla
RakkarJawalamukhi
KhundyianKangraNagrota Bagwan
Baroh
Kalpa
Moorang
PoohNichar
SanglaKullu
ManaliBanjarNirmandLahaulRanking order
2
1
2
1
5
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
7
4
6
5
6
2
2
2
2
8

#
Tehsils
Ranking order
44
Spiti
7
45
Mandi
2
46
Sundernagar
147
Sarkaghat
3
48
Jogindernagar
3
49
Karsog2
50
Chchyot
1
51
Thunag1
52
Baldwara
153Bali Chowki
154
Sandhol2
55
Paddhar
2
56
Nihri
2
57
Lad Bharol
358
Rampur5
59
Kumarsain
4
60
Suni
2
61
Shimla (R)262
Shimla (U)
2
63
Theog
4
64
Kotkhai
565
Jubbal
7
66
Rohru
6
67
Chirgaon
6
68
Dodrakwar
569
Chopal
4
70
Nahan
2
71
Paonta Sahib
2
72
Pachhad3
73
Rajgarh
4
74
Shillai
2
75
Renuka ji
2
76
Solan
3
77
Nalagarh
2
78
Kasauli
2
79
Baddi
2
80
Arki
2
81
Kandaghat
2
82
Una
2
83
Amb
2
84
Bangana285Haroli2
Region`s Average : 2 Rank Crop

Source: Tehsil - Wise Lal Kitabs of Himachal Pradesh: 2013-16.

3. Maize as Third Rank Crop
Twelve tehsils namely Bharmaur, Baijnath, Palampur, Dharmshala, Shahpur, Kangra, Nagrota
Bagwan, Sarkaghat, Jogindernagar, Lad-Bharol, Pachhad and Solan form this category. Outof twelve tehsils, ten lies in Kangra and Mandi districts. These are valley areas having
availability of irrigation from kuhls, fertile soil, comparatively high degree of farmmechanization, etc. which encouraged the farmers to cultivate rice as compare to maize.
Hence, this region has maize as a third ranking crop. Here, there are also some valley areas
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 171 | 11with adequate irrigation facilities which push maize to second rank in kharif season and third
in the overall cropping pattern.
4. Maize as Fourth Rank Crop
It comprises tehsils of Moorang, Kumarsain, Theog, Chopal and Rajgarh. These areas arefavourable for wheat, barley, millets, fruits and vegetables, etc. because of severe winters withheavy snowfall, mountainous topography, steep slopes, etc. and are not ideal conditions for
growing of maize crop and as a result, its position is fourth. All these factors lead to maize as
fourth ranking crop in the overall cropping pattern.
5. Maize as above Fourth Rank Crop
This category covers districts of Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur, eastern parts of Shimla and northernparts of Chamba. These areas mostly lie in eastern parts of the study region and containthirteen tehsils and 15.30 percent of total occurrences. Tehsils falls in this category are Pangi,
Lahaul, Spiti, Pooh, Nichar, Kalpa, Sangla, Rampur, Chirgaon, Dodrakwar, Kotkhai, Rohru andJubbal. Here position of maize varies between fifth to seventh. Main factors which led to above
fourth rank of maize are heavy snowfall during winters, short crop growing season,
predominance of wheat, fruits, vegetables, barley, millets, etc. It is very interesting to know thatin Spiti tehsil, hundred percent area is irrigated with kuhls irrigation, because area undercultivation is very small.To sum up the study has revealed that areas with high rainfall, hilly
and mountainous terrain with moderate to steep gradient are having either first or second rankof maize cultivation. While valley areas or areas with gentle gradient and sufficient Kuhl
irrigation have recorded third rank. But areas with predominance of fruits, vegetables, wheat,barley and millets followed by heavy snowfall during winters, etc. have recorded least ranks ofmaize cultivation which range from fourth to seventh. Thus, the rank of maize cultivation in
overall cropping pattern reflects its importance in farmer’s economy as well as in region’s
economy.
C.) Changes in Position of Maize Crop: 1990-91 to 2014-15
During period under investigation Himachal Pradesh has undergone some changes in socioeconomic parameters and improvements in physical environment. For instance, leveling ofpiedmont plains, reclamation of some valley areas, increase in irrigation facilities, roadaccessibility, market accessibility, use of chemical fertilizers, etc. which have certainly led toincrease or decrease in certain crops in overall cropping pattern and has affected the share ofmaize crop in the cropping pattern, which further led to changes in ranking order. In someareas, ranking of maize crop has increased and in some other tehsils has decreased. For
evaluation the changes in ranking order of maize crop, help is taken from (figure 2 and 3) andtables (1 and 2).Thus, the analysis of these figures and tables reveal the following points.
1.There were 13 tehsils with first position in the cropping pattern in 1990-91, but their number
decreased to 10 in 2014-15 and resulted into a loss of 3 tehsils which joined the second rank
category.
2.The number of tehsils with second position was 49 which come down to 45 during 1990-91
to 2014-15 and experienced a loss of 4 tehsils. It shows that the area under maize crop as wellas its position in the cropping pattern of the individual tehsils have declined. A detailed
investigation of the share of each crop in the individual cropping pattern of all these tehsils
shows that crops like vegetables, fruits and wheat have gained more area under theircultivation which consequently lead to decrease in position of maize in the cropping pattern ofthese individual tehsils.

Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 172 | 11

3.While in the case of crops having third position in 1990-91, their number have increased from11 to 12 and experienced gain of 1 tehsil, which is the result of increased in area under maizein these tehsils owing to development works. Same is the case with 4th, 5th, and 6th rank crops,
because these have gained area in two, one and three tehsils respectively. Moreover, it showsthat in areas where maize was not significant crop in 1990-91 have captured more area undermaize cultivation. Secondly, it is also found that tehsils which have lost their position as second
rank had joined the category of either third or fourth or fifth or sixth position.
4.While the number of tehsils of maize with 7th position has come down from 4 to 3 and suffereda loss of 1 tehsil, and has joined the 8th position which is Lahaul tehsil.
5.Overall, it is deduced that 51 tehsils have experienced no change in their position during
study period. While 13 tehsils have experienced positive change of one rank. 3 tehsils with firstrank have remained their position throughout the study period. While 6 tehsils have joined from
1st to 2nd position and 3 tehsils from 1st to 3rd position. In case of 2nd rank crops, there are 37
tehsils which have not experienced any change in their position. But 3 tehsils with 2 nd rank
have joined 3rd position and 7 tehsils have improved their position from second to first. But theremaining tehsils either gained or lost their position from 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th to 4th, 5th, 6th,
7th, etc.
Suggestions
Himachal Pradesh is ideal state for maize cultivation. Thus, in lieu to increase in area andproduction, the following suggestions are made:1. The piedmont area of the state should be levelled and bring under its cultivation.
2. Sprinkle irrigation should be developed so that in lean periods, water requirements of thecrop can be met.
3. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt high yielding varieties of seeds by imparting
training to them by extension department of State governments and Himachal Pradesh
Agricultural University.
4. Research in maize crop should be encouraged to improve the maize seeds.
5. Agro industries based on maize produce should be installed in the study area.
6. The use of agro-chemicals should be encouraged particularly where manure fertilizers are
not available.
7. Marketing system should be strengthened and minimum support price of maize be assured
to farmers.
If the above-mentioned suggestions are implemented, then area, yield and productionof maize will certainly increase which will lead to increase in farmer’s income.
Conclusion
The study has observed that in 1990-91, there were sixty-two tehsils in Himachal Pradesh
withfirst and second rank of maize in cropping pattern which indicates its importance in thecropping pattern, because these are areas of high rainfall, rugged, hilly and mountainous
topography, etc.But in eleven tehsils, its rank was third due to valley areas and availability ofirrigation from kuhls, thus in such condition’s farmers preferred rice as major kharif crop andpushed maize to third position. But areas of heavy rainfall, mountainous relief and low tomoderate rainfall had first position either as fourth or fifth or sixth or seventh, because in theseareas farmer’s preferred cultivation of wheat, fruits, vegetables, barley, millets, etc. Moreover,
low temperature and short growing season have also created obstacles in maize cultivation.In
2014-15, the study has sum up those areas with high rainfall, hilly and mountainous terrain
with moderate to steep gradient, etc. have either first or second rank of maize cultivation in thecropping pattern. While valley areas or areas with gentle gradient and sufficient Kuhl irrigation
have recorded third rank. But areas with heavy snowfall during winters and predominance of
Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 173 | 11

fruits, vegetables, wheat, barley and millets have recorded least rank of maize cultivation whichranges from fifth to seventh. Thus, the rank of maize cultivation in overall cropping patternreflects its importance in farmer’s economy as well as in region’s economy.Overall the study
has concluded that 26 tehsils have experienced gained in their position and 12 tehsils havelost their position during study period. While no change is noted in 51 tehsils. It is also observedthat maize has remained the second rank crop in the overall cropping pattern in the study
region during 1990-91 to 2014-15.
References
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2. Agricultural Reports, Department of agriculture. Government of Himachal Pradesh, Himachal
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3. Census of India, 2011, Himachal Pradesh, pp.14-15.
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Pradesh”,International Journal of Pharmacy life science, Vol.6, pp.1739-1742.
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7. Singh, D. and Chaudhary,(2008),"Effect of Plant Population and Fertilizer levels on Yield andEconomics of Pop Corn”, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Vol.78, No.4, pp.370-371.
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10. Tehsil Wise Lal Kitabs of Himachal Pradesh: 1989 to 1992 and 2013-16.
11. Weaver, J.C. (1954). ‘‘Crop Combination Regions in Middle-West’’ Geographical Review, Vol. 44,
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Journal of Global Resources, July 2021, Volume 07 (02) Shivjeet Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur and K. S. Sohal Page 174 | 11