234-Irrigated Crop Planning through Optimization Model.

Abstract

The ultimate goal of the irrigated agriculture is obtaining maximum benefit with sustainable and optimal cropping pattern within the available water resources. This can be achieved by assessing the irrigation system performance under existing and alternative scenarios using optimization model. For the purpose (suggesting alternative economically viable rabi cropping pattern) a non-linear optimization model is developed with decision variables of the cultivated area in each soil type of the farm and applied to the Banahil Distributary of Hasdeo-Bango Major Irrigation Project, Chhattisgarh, India where single crop (summer rice) is grown during summer season. The objective function of the optimization model is based on crop-water- production function, crop management and irrigation technology used and costs and prices of the products. The data on crops, weather, soils, canal supply and cost of cultivation, pertaining to the study area were collected from various government departments, organization and personal contact from the farmers of the command. The model gives the optimal distribution of areas and crops. The wheat crop is the most profitable crop, followed by sunflower. The total net return from the optimal cropping pattern is found to be 5.37 times more than the summer rice. The optimal cropping pattern not only gives higher net return but also covered 100% of the cultural command area. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to study the effect within the —20 to 20% change in sale price of crop; cost of cultivation (excluding irrigation cost) and cost of canal water on the optimal solution. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the sale price of crop is the most sensitive input parameter followed by the cost of cultivation excluding irrigation cost.