Optimal Cropping Pattern for Basin in India

Optimization techniques can be used for deciding cropping pattern for an agricultural land. In the present study an alluvial tract between two rivers in Northern India is considered for such a study. Total water resources of the basin, i.e., surface water and ground water, are used in determining an optimal cropping pattern and optimal water release policy from canals and tubewells during various months in a year for maximizing the net benefits. Linear programming is used for this optimization. Sensitivity analysis is carried out by varying the parameters that affect the optimal solution such as quantity of ground water pumped, area irrigated, operating costs of canals and tubewells, a fixed variation in the rainfall, and value of crops.