Optimization of cropping pattern using goal programming approach

Irrigation planning and scheduling are essential components of water management in irrigated agriculture. For this purpose, optimal use of land and water is required for optimization of cropping pattern under a set of limitations. Number of approaches like benefit-cost, functional, programming, and simulation are commonly used for optimization of cropping pattern. The paper presents three different cropping plans of goal programming (GP) approach, which was considered for maximization of net return, protein and calorie values with minimum land and water for Barna command area. The factors like amount of net return, utilization of surface and ground water by different plans were considered for the selection of best cropping plan of GP for optimization of cropping pattern for the command area under study. The paper gives the methodology adopted in optimizing the cropping pattern using GP approach and the results obtained from the study.