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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Urbanisation and agricultural land use dynamics in Karnataka: Implications for sustainable land management

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14027
Submitted
7 February 2026
Published
03-06-2026

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has significantly influenced land use transformation and district-level land transitions in Karnataka. This study examines land use dynamics and the role of socio-economic and biophysical factors across districts during 2001–02 to 2020–21 using GIS-based spatial analysis and panel regression. The results indicate substantial shifts in land use patterns driven by urban expansion and economic development. Urbanization significantly reduces the share of land under gross cropped area while increasing fallow land, indicating the diversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. District GDP shows a significant positive effect only on culturable wasteland, suggesting category-specific impacts. Average landholding size is positively associated with fallow land and negatively associated with other land use types. Climatic variables were not statistically significant in the model. The findings highlight the need for region-specific land use policies to balance agricultural sustainability with urban growth.

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