Changing Patterns of Land Use and Level of Agricultural Development in Munger District, Bihar

Agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of Bihar, particularly at the district and sub-district levels where spatial variations are pronounced. The present study examines the changing patterns of land use and the level of agricultural development in Munger district, Bihar. The study is based on secondary data. Land use changes were examined for 2000–01 to 2010–11, and block-wise agricultural development was assessed for 2011. Standardized Z-scores of multiple indicators were used to construct a composite index of agricultural development across blocks. MS Office software was used for tabular presentation, while QGIS was employed for map preparation and spatial analysis. The results reveal a gradual expansion of net sown area accompanied by a decline in fallow and wasteland categories, indicating increasing pressure on land resources. The composite index highlights marked inter-block disparities in agricultural development, with blocks such as Tarapur and Sangrampur exhibiting higher development levels, while Bariarpur, Jamalpur, and Dharhara remain relatively backward. The study underscores the need for block-specific agricultural planning, focusing on irrigation development, institutional credit, and infrastructural support to reduce intra-district disparities.