In the black soil region of Maharashtra, cotton cultivation is now facing strong competition from sugarcane cultivation. This shift in cropping pattern is mainly due to which of the following reasons?

Introduction / Context:
Cotton has traditionally been an important crop in the black soil region of Maharashtra, but in recent decades sugarcane has started to compete strongly for the same land. This question checks understanding of how irrigation facilities and profitability influence cropping patterns in Indian agriculture, especially in regions with black cotton soil where water availability is a key constraint.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The region mentioned has black soil that is naturally suitable for cotton. • Farmers have started growing sugarcane in competition with cotton. • We consider standard textbook reasons for crop shifts such as irrigation, climate, yield and prices. • No drastic climate disaster or pest epidemic is specifically mentioned in the question.

Concept / Approach:
In Indian geography and agriculture, black soil areas in states like Maharashtra are famous for cotton. However, when assured irrigation becomes available, farmers often shift towards more water intensive and more profitable commercial crops like sugarcane. Sugarcane gives higher returns per hectare under irrigated conditions, has strong demand from sugar mills and provides stable cash income. Therefore, the most important factor is the expansion of irrigation infrastructure such as canals and wells, not simply climate change or a vague decline in cotton yield.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that cotton is a traditional crop of black soil areas under conditions of limited rainfall or partial irrigation. Step 2: Recognise that sugarcane requires heavy and regular water supply and therefore thrives where assured irrigation is present. Step 3: When irrigation facilities like canals, tube wells and lift irrigation expand, farmers gain the technical ability to grow sugarcane. Step 4: Sugarcane is a high value commercial crop with strong demand from sugar factories, so returns per hectare are often higher than for cotton. Step 5: Therefore, it is the expansion of irrigation that made this black soil region suitable for sugarcane, leading to strong competition for land between sugarcane and cotton.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify the reasoning by looking at actual patterns in Maharashtra. Western Maharashtra, where canal irrigation from dams like Koyna and other projects is available, has become a major sugarcane belt. In drier parts with less irrigation, cotton still dominates. Thus, the crucial difference between cotton areas and sugarcane areas in the same type of soil is availability of assured irrigation, not climate change alone or a sudden decline in cotton potential.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: A general decline in cotton yield may discourage some farmers, but such a widespread fall is not the primary textbook reason for the shift. The key driver is better irrigation and higher profitability of sugarcane. Option B: A general climate change in only this region is not supported by the question. Climate trends affect wider areas and do not by themselves explain a targeted rise in sugarcane cultivation. Option D: Increasing demand and higher prices for sugar do encourage sugarcane, but demand has been strong for a long time. Without irrigation, farmers still could not easily switch to sugarcane, so this is a secondary factor.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often choose options related to prices or climate because they sound intuitive. However, questions on Indian cropping patterns in black soil regions usually emphasise the role of irrigation development. Another common mistake is to assume that cotton yields have universally declined, which is not a standard fact. Always link crop choice to both agro climatic suitability and infrastructure like irrigation.

Final Answer:
The main reason is the expansion of irrigation that made the black soil region suitable for highly profitable sugarcane cultivation.