Derivation of indices using remote sensing data to evaluate cropping systems

This paper presents the work done in Bathinda District of Punjab state of India for evaluating the cropping system efficiency using multi-date, multi-year and multi-sensor satellite based remote sensing data along with various spatial and non-spatial collateral data. Three efficiency indices, such as Multiple Cropping Index (MCI), Area Diversity Index (DI), Cultivated Land Utilization Index (CLUI), have been worked out to characterize the cropping systems. The salient findings point out that, the MCI has, increased remarkably. A further increase is possible by only taking a third crop. The ADI has increased in kharif (rainy) season, due to introduction of rice in the cotton belt, however in rabi (winter) season the ADI has reduced nearly to one, showing it to be a mono-cropped situation. The CLUI is low (> 0.5) in many blocks, showing there is a great scope to improve it. Since in summer the land is remaining unutilized, a summer crop can very well be taken up to improve it.