Why are the soils of southeastern Gujarat more fertile than those of the Kathiawar Peninsula?

The superior fertility of the soils in southeastern Gujarat compared to those of the Kathiawar Peninsula is primarily due to their geological origin and composition. While the soils of the Kathiawar Peninsula are generally poor and derived from a variety of old crystalline rocks, the richness of the soils in southeastern Gujarat is attributed to their partial derivation from the basalts of the Deccan plateau.1

Additionally, environmental factors play a significant role in this disparity. Southeastern Gujarat is the wettest region of the state, receiving heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon, which supports its fertile coastal plains. In contrast, the Kathiawar Peninsula is characterized by an arid and semiarid climate, featuring rocky terrain and a lack of perennial rivers, which further limits the agricultural potential of its soil.213