Geospatial Approach for Block Wise Area Estimation of Kharif Season Crops in Fatehabad District, Haryana (India)

The study was carried out to estimate the area of various kharif crops using Landsat-8 satellite images data during 2014. District boundary was overplayed on the images and all the data elements (pixels) within this area were extracted for further analysis. Multi-layer stacks were prepared for kharif season using two-date images of the season. Multiphase unsupervised classification approach Iterative Self-organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) Clustering classifier was used and classes of interest were identified using ground truth information collected using hand held GPS. Mask of mixed classes was prepared and image under the mask was reclassified. The reclassification process was continued till the classes of interest were segregated. NDVI is created and used for analysis purpose to increase classification accuracy. Kharif season cropping pattern maps and statistics were generated using classified images and applying logical combinations. During Kharif season Rice (Oryza sativa) and Cotton (Gossypium spp.) are two of the major crops which occupies 95.606 and 70.134 (000' ha.), respectively. Some other crops like Guar, Bajra, Horticulture crops etc. were also identified during this period but Rice and Cotton crops were the major crops identified during kharif season in the district. In South Asia the Indo-Gangetic plains constitute the most important agricultural region. In case of India, area of the IGP is nearly 13% of the total geographical area of the country, and it produces about 50% of the total food grains to feed 40% of the population of the country. The Indo-Gangetic plain region comprises of states of Punjab, Haryana, plains of Jammu & Kashmir Haryana is primarily an agricultural state (2). About 70% of residents in Haryana are engaged in agriculture. The state is at second position in food grain production in the country. Wheat and Paddy are the major crops. Haryana is self-sufficient in food production and the second largest contributor to India's central pool of food