Application of Multio-bjective Fuzzy Goal Programming to Optimize Cropping Pattern with Emphasis on Using Conservation Tillage Methods

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• S. Erfanifar ¹
• M. Zibaei ¹
• M. Kasraei ²

¹ Agriculture Economics, Shiraz University

² Mechanics of Farm Machinery Department, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University

10.22067/jead2.v1391i7.24914

Abstract

In this study, the optimal cropping patterns based on individual aims are presented and followed by a multi-objective cropping pattern with emphasize on the use of conservation tillage methods in Darab region presented. Individual goals consisted of maximizing gross margin and food secIn this study, the optimal cropping patterns based on individual aims were presented and followed by using a multi-objective fuzzy goal programming with emphasize on the use of conservation tillage methods in the Darab region. Individual goals consisted of maximizing gross margin and food security and minimizing water consumption and urea fertilizer use. The results showed that in the multi-objective cropping pattern, gross margin and food security increased by 23.5% and 6.1% , while water and energy consumption decreased by 4% and 5.1%, respectively as compared to the current cropping pattern. The fuzzy composite distance improved by %36, as compared to the current condition. Moreover, having replaced the conventional tillage methods with conservation tillage methods in the cropping pattern, the diesel fuel consumption reduced by 27%. Therefore, replacing multi-objective cropping pattern ,on which the conservation tillage methods are emphasized, with the conventional cropping patterns improves economic and environmental conditions. urity index and minimizing water and urea fertilizer.The results showed that in the multi-objective cropping pattern, gross margin and food security index respectively increase by 23.5% and 6.1% and water and energy consumption decrease by 4% and 5.1% respectively as compared to current cropping pattern. The fuzzy composite distance improves by %36 compares to current condition and represents better cropping pattern than the others. Morever in this cropping pattern, conventional tillage method will be replaced by conservation tillage practices, therefore the amount of diesel fuel consumption reduces by 27% that is equivalent to an annual saving of 567 liters of diesel fuel. Also, the reduction of water consumption is expected to be 10000 cubic meters annually.9 In the cropping pattern, minimizing water consumption, water saving was 27.5% that was equivalent to an annual reduction of 69000 cubic meters of water, while maintaining the gross margin equal to current condition. Also urea fertilizer and energy consumption reduced by 23.7% and 28.5% respectively.

Keywords

• Conservation tillage
• Multi-objective fuzzy goal programming
• Optimal cropping pattern
• Darab

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