Assessment of rice (Oryza sativa L.) field conversion to large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) cultivation in West Sikkim using GIS and farmers’ perceptions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56678/iahf-2025.38.03.06Keywords:
Land-use change, Crop diversification, GIS, Indigenous rice germplasm, Sustainable agriculture.Abstract
Conversion of agricultural land from food crops to cash crops has been increasingly common in the Himalayan region. The present study documented the conversion of rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields to large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) cultivation in selected Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs) of West Sikkim during the period 2005 to 2015 by using geographic information system (GIS) techniques and farmers’ perception surveys. Land use change was quantified from temporal satellite imagery from Google Earth and analyzed in ArcGIS 10.0. In addition, a field survey of 47 farmers was conducted through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to identify the factors that contribute to land conversion. The results demonstrated a decrease in the area under rice cultivation from 15.16 ha in 2005 to 11.87 ha in 2015. The GIS analysis revealed that 4.27 ha, or 28.3 % of the rice growing area, had been converted to large cardamom cultivation during the study period. Observed land-use changes were confirmed by ground verification of selected sites. The major reasons for conversion identified by the farmers are: inadequate irrigation water, damage by rodents and wild animals, shading by nearby forests, long dry spells, incidence of pests and diseases, and risk of soil erosion on steep slopes. Farmers also perceived that large cardamom cultivation was more lucrative and less labor-intensive than that of rice. The study reveals a drastic shift in cultivation from rice to large cardamom in West Sikkim due to environmental and socioeconomic reasons. Crop diversification could enhance farm income, but continued conversion of rice fields may constitute a potential threat to the local food security and conservation of indigenous rice germplasm. The results offer useful information for sustainable land use planning and policy formulation in the Himalayan region.
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