Stochastic optimal control and simulations with application to the cashew nut sector in Senegal

Abstract

In this article, we propose a new methodology based on stochastic optimal control problems, to solve the revenue and exploitation issues of the cashew nut sector in Senegal (West Africa). First, we reviewed some underlying tools from stochastic calculus such as stochastic processes, Brownian motion, martingales, and stochastic differential equations. The stochastic optimal sales plan and agricultural exploitation plan are determined using the Hamiltonian–Bellman–Jacobi equations that correspond to the proposed maximization problems in this paper. Finally, numerical simulations and real data from Casamance (Southern Senegal) were used to analyze the performance of this novel approach to the cashew nut sector.

Keywords

• Stochastic
• Hamiltonian–Jacobi–Bellman
• Optimal control
• Cashew nut
• Stock
• Investment