Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production (Jan 2017)
Determination of Optimal Cropping Pattern Emphasizing Sustainability of Natural Resources and Environment in Orzoyeh District
Abstract
Water, soil, Vegetation and other natural resources, will be sustainable and useable permanently when they use scientifically and consciously. If the resources are used irregularly, this action will cause to stop renewing resources and they will be mortal. In current study, we used fuzzy goal programming for determining of optimal cropping pattern which emphasizes sustainability of natural resources and environment. For this purpose, four fuzzy goals include profit maximization; irrigation water minimization, fertilizers minimization and pesticides minimization were considered in four scenarios. Requirement data were collected by questionnaire and from Kerman province Jihad Keshavarzi documents. Four optimal cropping patterns were represented by considering different weights for goals. Results illustrated in those scenarios that natural resource conservation and production sustainability have priority, the activities that need require less water, fertilizers and pesticides are more into the cropping pattern. On the contrary, in that scenario that profit maximization has the most weight, the cropping pattern limited to watermelon and potato activities. Because have the highest profit in hectare, although use the most water. Therefore, considering natural resources and environmental sustainability approaches are effective on optimal cropping pattern determination.