Assessing Crop Suitability in a Semi-Arid Region Using a Composite Crop Suitability Index: Evidence from Shevgaon Tehsil, Maharashtra

Agriculture in semi-arid regions is constrained by limited and uncertain rainfall, variable soil conditions, and increasing pressure on water resources, making scientific crop suitability assessment essential for sustainable land use planning. This study evaluates crop suitability in Shevgaon tehsil of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, using a Composite Crop Suitability Index (CSI). The assessment integrates three key agro-environmental parameters rainfall availability, soil characteristics, and soil pH through a weighted linear combination approach, assigning weights of 0.50, 0.30, and 0.20 respectively, based on their relative agronomic importance. Suitability scores were standardized following FAO guidelines and applied to major crops under both rainfed and irrigated scenarios. The results indicate that drought-tolerant crops such as jowar, bajra, and cotton are highly suitable under rainfed conditions, while wheat and maize remain marginally suitable and sugarcane is unsuitable without irrigation. Under irrigated conditions, the suitability of water-sensitive crops improves significantly, with sugarcane, wheat, maize, and onion shifting to moderately suitable classes, while drought-resilient crops maintain high suitability. The findings highlight the critical role of irrigation in expanding crop options and reducing production risks in semi-arid environments. The study provides a practical, location-specific framework to support informed crop selection, efficient water use, and sustainable agricultural planning in Shevgaon tehsil and similar semi-arid regions.