Spatiotemporal Analysis of Agricultural Mechanization in Jalgaon District: A Tehsil-level Study (1971–2011)

This research provides a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of agricultural mechanization and farm cultivation technology in Jalgaon District, Maharashtra, from 1971 to 2011. As a key agricultural region specializing in high-yield crops like banana and cotton, Jalgaon has undergone a significant transition from traditional wooden and iron ploughs to modern machinery. The study reveals a profound increase in farm power, with the tractor population growing over 30-fold during the four-decade period, reaching a district-wide density of 26.13 per thousand hectares by 2011. Similarly, the adoption of irrigation pump sets expanded more than ten times, peaking at 175,103 units to support intensive multicroped areas. Spatial analysis at the tehsil level uncovers significant regional disparities; high mechanization densities are concentrated in the alluvial Tapi basin tehsils such as Jalgaon and Raver, whereas drier hilly regions like Amalner and Erandol show lower adoption rates due to shallow soils and small farm holdings. The research also highlights the revolutionary impact of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, which now cover approximately 83% of the district's cropped area. However, the study identifies a critical imbalance in chemical fertilizer usage, with an NPK ratio of 6:2:2 negatively affecting soil properties. Furthermore, the evolution of sprayers and threshers indicates a maturing technological landscape aimed at overcoming labor shortages and increasing efficiency. Overall, the findings suggest that while mechanization has bolstered productivity and profitability, geographical and environmental factors continue to dictate the pace of technological diffusion across the district.