Optimal cropping pattern of sugar beet growers with emphasis on price and yield risk: the case of Fasa district

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were to develop an optimal cropping pattern for sugar beet growers in Fars district (Fars province) and to investigate sugar beet importance in cropping pattern. Regarding the effect of risk on producer's decision, two risk sources including price and yield were considered. Data were obtained from Fasa district growers in 2008. In this study multi-objective mathematical programming was used. Results showed 7% difference between current income and optimal cropping pattern. However, they had difference in crop composition. In current pattern, 3.8 hectares out of 6.8 hectares belonged to sugar beet, while in optimal pattern, it reduced to 0.2 hectares. In general, in introduced cropping patterns, sugar beet and wheat cultivation is replaced by bean. This replacement meets the goal of water use reduction up to 33% in addition to provide current efficiency. Results showed that farmers pay more attention to price risk in cropping pattern formulation. It was also determined that sugar beet inefficiency for water usage, as a restricting input, has lowered its ranking in cropping pattern.

Keywords

• optimal cropping pattern
• risk
• sugar beet
• water