In agricultural geography, the ratio of gross cropped area to the net sown area is technically known as which specific measure?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of basic agricultural terminology used in geography and agricultural economics. Farmers and planners use specific ratios and indices to describe how intensively land is used for cultivation. One such important ratio compares gross cropped area with net sown area, helping to show how many times land is cropped in a year.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Gross cropped area refers to the total area sown once plus the area sown more than once in a year.
• Net sown area refers to the area sown with crops at least once in a year.
• The ratio under discussion is gross cropped area divided by net sown area.
• Options include various terms related to cropping and productivity.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the definition of cropping intensity. Cropping intensity is calculated as (gross cropped area / net sown area) multiplied by 100 to express it in percentage terms. It indicates how intensively the available agricultural land is being used. A higher cropping intensity means that more multiple cropping is taking place on the same piece of land. Other terms such as crop productivity, cropping diversity and intensity of crop rotation describe different aspects and do not match this specific ratio.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the formula for cropping intensity: cropping intensity (%) = (gross cropped area / net sown area) * 100. Step 2: Compare this formula with the description in the question, which mentions the ratio of gross cropped area to net sown area. Step 3: Confirm that the term cropping intensity directly uses this ratio. Step 4: Recognise that intensity of crop rotation is related to how often crops are rotated, not exactly this ratio. Step 5: Exclude crop productivity and cropping diversity, which refer to output per unit area and variety of crops respectively, not to the ratio described.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard textbooks on agriculture and geography, as well as government agricultural reports, define cropping intensity in exactly this way. When you see data tables showing net sown area, gross cropped area and cropping intensity, the intensity values are calculated using this ratio. This serves as a strong confirmation that the term required is cropping intensity.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Intensity of crop rotation: This refers to how frequently different crops follow one another on the same land and is not defined by the specific ratio given in the question.
Crop productivity: This describes yield per unit area, often in kilograms per hectare, and does not involve gross cropped and net sown areas directly.
Cropping diversity: This concept deals with the variety of crops grown in a region, not with the number of times land is cropped.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse cropping intensity with crop productivity because both relate to efficient land use. Another pitfall is mixing up crop rotation terminology with cropping intensity. Carefully reading the definition in the question and remembering the formula helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The ratio of gross cropped area to net sown area is called cropping intensity.