APPLICATION OF LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODEL TO ASSESS THE OPTIMUM CROPPING PATTERN FOR MIXED CROPPING ZONE OF SEMI-ARID AREA

Abstract

Linear programming model is deemed a pragmatic approach for the estimation of crop acreage, productivity and profit. An investigation was carried out to assess the optimum cropping pattern of mixed cropping zone of Punjab, Pakistan during year 2011. After collection of data, 180 farmers were categorized into three main categories according to the land holding i.e. small land holders (< 5 acre), medium land holders (>5 or ≤10 acre), and large land holders (>10 acre). Optimal solution after the study depicted that if a farmer increased the wheat, cotton and maize area and decreased the area of rice, sugarcane, Rabi and Kharif fodder then he might obtain more profit in contrast to existing cropping pattern. Linear programming model suggested an increase of 1.04%, 1.10 and 1.07% profit over existing cropping pattern. It may be concluded that, profit can be enhanced by increasing area under wheat, cotton and maize and decreasing the area under rice, sugarcane, Rabi and Kharif fodders. Moreover, profit margins, productivity and sustainability of cropping system can be achieved by using resource saving techniques like direct seeding of rice, zero tillage of wheat and inclusion of green manuring crops.