Abstract Agriculture in semi-arid regions is increasingly challenged by climatic uncertainty, rising input costs, and market volatility, all of which significantly influence farmers’ cropping decisions and income stability. This study examines the relationship between cropping decisions, cost–benefit dynamics, and income stability in Shevgaon tehsil of Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra. The analysis is based on both primary data collected through field surveys and secondary data obtained from official agricultural records. Crop concentration patterns were analyzed using the Bhatia’s (1965) Location Quotient method to assess spatial specialization, while cost–benefit dynamics were evaluated through estimation of production costs, gross returns, net returns, and Benefit–Cost Ratios. An Income Stability Index (ISI) was used to assess variability in farm income across crops and revenue circles. The results reveal significant spatial variation in cropping patterns, with irrigated revenue circles favoring sugarcane, wheat, and onion, and drought-prone circles relying more on jowar and bajra. While onion and sugarcane generate high net returns, they are associated with higher income instability due to market and input risks. In contrast, wheat and coarse cereals provide moderate but more stable returns, enhancing income stability. The study concludes that income stability in semi-arid agriculture depends not merely on maximizing returns but on adopting region-specific cropping strategies that balance profitability, cost structure, and risk exposure. The findings provide valuable policy insights for promoting sustainable and resilient agricultural systems in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra.
Jadhav et al. (2025) studied this question.