Prakash Bhatt, Shikha Yadav, Apoorva Tatia Pushpendra Singh Chaudhary and Atul Nandeshwar
Abstract
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and erratic rainfall patterns has led to a significant rise in prevented and failed sowing incidents, adversely impacting agricultural productivity. This study investigates the spatial and temporal characteristics of sowing failure during the Kharif 2019 season in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat, using meteorological data and remote sensing techniques. Prevented sowing refers to conditions where farmers are unable to sow or germinate crops due to inadequate or untimely rainfall. The study incorporates rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority, alongside satellite-derived indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) from Landsat8 imagery. The analysis reveals that four key blocks -Bhanvad, Dwarka, Kalyanpur, and Khambhalia experienced rainfall deficits exceeding 80% of the long-term average, confirming meteorological drought conditions. Remote sensing indicators NDVI and NDWI also reflected significantly reduced vegetation vigor and soil moisture, correlating with low area sown estimates. These parameters show strong alignment with state-reported sowing data and drought classifications, demonstrating the utility of integrated remote sensing and meteorological analysis in early detection of agricultural drought and sowing failure. This multidisciplinary approach offers a valuable tool for policymakers and agronomists to proactively manage crop insurance, drought mitigation, and farming advisories