Agricultural Land Allocation for Crop Planning in a Canal Command Area Using Fuzzy Multiobjective Goal Programming

Abstract

Real-world problems in the agricultural sector are usually multiobjective in nature. More than one objective needs to be fulfilled simultaneously to incorporate economic and social requirements in an acceptable and optimal cropping pattern. Fuzzy multiobjective goal programming (FMGP) techniques can be used to solve optimization formulations. The purpose of this paper is to present a fuzzy multiobjective-based goal programming (GP) model for optimal allocation of land under cultivation to optimize cropping patterns. In this work, goal programming is implemented in two parts. In the first part, only two objectives, maximization of benefit and production, are considered. In the second part, seven objectives are considered in goal programming: maximization of benefit, maximization of production, minimization of investment, minimization of fertilizer application [i.e., minimization of nitrogen (N) application, minimization of phosphorus (P) application, and minimization of potash (K) application], and minimization of water application. FMGP is used to solve multiobjective formulations. Multiobjective solutions provide the necessary aspiration and tolerance levels for goal programming. Performance evaluation of the methodology is demonstrated for a real canal command area.