Ahmedabad District

Location and Geography
Ahmedabad district is situated in the central part of Gujarat and lies between 21°15' to 23°05' N latitude and 71°15' to 73°15' E longitude, with an average elevation of about 13 meters above mean sea level (MSL). The district has a diverse topography, including plains, lowlands, and saline tracts, making it suitable for various types of crops under rainfed and irrigated conditions.

Administrative Division
Ahmedabad district comprises 11 talukas: Dholka, Bavla, Dhandhuka, Ranpur, Barvala, Sanand, Viramgam, Mandal, Rampura, Ahmedabad City, and Daskoi, with a total of 564 villages.

Climate and Soil
The district experiences a semi-arid climate with erratic rainfall, ranging from 600 mm to 900 mm annually. Soils vary from saline, clayey, and loamy types. Certain areas in the Bhal region are prone to salinity, which affects crop choice and productivity.

Agriculture
Agriculture is the primary livelihood in the district. Key crops include groundnut, cotton, bajra, wheat, jowar, pulses, and vegetables. The district also supports horticulture, floriculture, and livestock activities. Irrigation is mainly through canals, tube wells, and small reservoirs, while a significant portion of farming is rainfed.

Challenges
Farmers face challenges such as saline soils, water scarcity, and rainfall variability, requiring the adoption of climate-resilient technologies and modern agronomic practices.

Support and Development
Extension services, research, and training are provided by institutions such as KVK Arnej, Anand Agricultural University, and ICAR, focusing on improved crop varieties, soil management, irrigation practices, and farmer training programs to enhance productivity and sustainability.