AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION USING GIS AND SATELLITE IMAGE DATA IN NANDURBAR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

Abstract

This study investigates land use and land cover (LULC) changes and agricultural transformation in Nandurbar District, Maharashtra, India, between 2015 and 2025 using Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. The analysis reveals significant shifts in land use patterns, with agricultural land expanding by 10.24% at the expense of barren land (-9.52%) and forest cover. Improved irrigation infrastructure has driven this transformation, particularly in regions like Shahada and Nandurbar talukas, which exhibit higher agricultural productivity. Conversely, rain-fed areas such as Akkalkuwa and Dhadgaon face productivity challenges due to degraded soil quality and limited irrigation. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis indicates a positive trend in vegetation health, with moderate to dense vegetation increasing by 22.39% and 7.48%, respectively, while barren land decreased by 26.57%. The study highlights the role of GIS and remote sensing in monitoring agricultural changes and underscores the need for sustainable water management, crop diversification, and policy interventions to address regional disparities and ensure long-term agricultural resilience.