Optimal cropping pattern in a canal command area

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Abstract

The irrigation water requirements of major crops and the total available water through canal and ground water in the command of Shahi Distributory was estimated. A linear programming model was formulated to suggest the optimal cropping pattern giving the maximum net return at different water availability levels. The objective function of the model was subject to the following constraints: total available water and land during different seasons, the minimum area under wheat and rice for local food requirements, farmers’ socio-economic conditions, and preference to grow a particular crop in a specific area. This model gave the optimal cropping pattern for a command area of 11,818 ha at water availability levels of 100, 70 and 50 and net returns of Rs. 185, 146 and 114 million, respectively. It was found that the water available in the command area may support optimally 4981, 3560, 1817, 632, 355, 87 and 3653 ha of wheat, sugarcane, mustard, lentil, potato, chick pea, and rice, respectively, to get a maximum net return of Rs. 185 million at 100% water availability level. Wheat appears to provide the most consistent profit in the command area.

Introduction

To fulfill the high demand for food, fiber and fuel to an increasing population, it is necessary to bring more area under cultivation or to increase production per unit area of available land and water resources. Bringing additional area under cultivation is difficult due to urbanization and a reluctance to disturb natural environments. Also, the allocation of water for irrigation will probably decrease from the present level by 90 to 75–80% over the next 10–15 years (Sivanappan, 1995). Therefore, it is important to optimize the available land and water resources to achieving maximum returns. The existing cropping pattern has been the same for many years and may not utilize resources at maximum economic efficiency. Diversification of cropping pattern could maximize the net return per unit quantity of land and water available from different sources. Linear programming models can handle a large number of constraints and thus, are an effective tool to aid in the optimization process. Hall and Dracup (1970) proposed a linear programming model to maximize net return and select an optimal cropping pattern. Panda et al. (1983) applied linear programming models for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater to a canal command area of Punjab and observed considerable improvement in both the economic return as well as utilization of land and water resources by adopting an optimal cropping pattern. The present study was conducted with the objective of finding the optimal cropping pattern giving the maximum net return at different water availability levels.

Section snippets

Material and methods

The solution to the linear programming model was obtained using the Simplex method with a commercially available computer program. The study was conducted for the command area of the Shahi Distributory, situated at the tail end of the Richha branch in the Sharda Canal Command. It is located in Bareilly, district of Uttar Pradesh state in India.

Land area availability and utilization

The area utilization by the farmers for cultivation of different crops is shown in Table 1. It may be observed that wheat, rice and sugarcane are the most important crops occupying 35, 38 and 25% of total command area, respectively. Wheat and rice are the important crops of post-monsoon and monsoon seasons, respectively, and occupy maximum area in their respective seasons. Sugarcane and pigeon pea are long duration crops. The oilseed crops are mustard and sesame. Green gram, chick pea, pigeon

Conclusions

Linear programming models can be used as an effective tool for optimal cropping pattern in the command areas. The constraints imposed on the objective function of the model should incorporate components that account for farmers’ preference on the area to keep under cultivation of different crops. In the command area of the Shahi Distributory, wheat, sugarcane and rice are the most important crops occupying the maximum area in their respective growing seasons. Optimally, the total available

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