High resolution Sentinel-2 crop type mapping 2018- 2019 A case study in Ahmednagar district

Ahmednagar is the largest district of Maharashtra in terms of area and population. It lies in the central part of the state of Maharashtra which is having common boundaries with seven adjoining Districts. The total geographical area of the district is 17.41 lakh ha. The net cropped area is 12,56,500 ha, out of which an area of 3,30,000 ha. (26.27 %) is under canal (84,000 ha) and well irrigation. About 9,26,500 ha. (73.73 %) area is rain fed. The area under Kharif crops is 4,60,000 ha. (36.6 per cent) while 7,58,000 ha (60.32 per cent) area is under Rabi crops. A multiple cropping system is followed on 1,10,500 ha area. A total of 8.73 per cent area of the district is under forest. The climate of the district is hot and dry, on whole extremely genial and is characterized by a hot summer and general dryness during major part of the year except during south-west monsoon season. Ahmednagar district receives average 566 mm. rainfall. The major rainfall received during month of June to September. The average temperature ranges between 9 0c (during Dec.) to 41 0C (during April and May). The soil types of the district are broadly divided into four categories namely coarse shallow soil; medium black soil; deep black soil and reddish soil occupying about 38, 41, 13 and 8 percent of the cultivated area respectively. In the first two categories, soil moisture is the predominant limiting factor affecting productivity of crops particularly under rainfed condition. Godavari and Bhima are the major rivers in the district. Godavari river flows through the northern border of Ahmednagar district. Major Kharif crops grown in the district are Cotton, Maize, Bajra, Sugarcane, and Soybean and during Rabi season are Jowar, Wheat, Soybean and Pulses.