The study of cropping pattern assumes a great significance as it is one of the important path for balanced development of agriculture to meet the human requirements. In this context, an effort has been made to examine the changes in cropping pattern in Akola district (M.S.) extent of crop diversification and economics. The present study was based on secondary data collected from different government publications. The data covered a period of 21 years i.e. 1986-87 to 2006-07. In all 8 crops were considered for study. Simple tabular analysis was used to examine the changes in cropping pattern in various tahsils of Akola district (M.S.). In order to study the extent of crop diversification Herfindahl index has been used. In order to study the economics of crop diversification, land concentration ratio in tahsils with comparative advantage was computed for selected years. Tahsil wise analysis showed that the area under kharif jowar has found to be decreased in all the tahsils of Akola district Area under tur crop was decreased in Barshitakali and patur tahsil. The area under mung has found to be increased in all the tahsils. Cotton still remains as major crop of the district. In majority of tahsils of Akola district i.e. Balapur, Barshitakali and Patur, Crop diversification has significantly increased during the study period. While in Murtizapur tahsil it has showed more or less stationery diversification. The results of analysis of economics of crop diversification revealed that, no one crop has shown increasing or decreasing trend of land concentration ratio over the time. Particular crop was beneficial in the particular year in the district.
