Application of The Multi-Objective Programming in Determining Optimal Cropping Pattern in Marvdasht Region with Emphasis on Water Constraint

The objective of this study was to develop a risk-based cropping pattern for Marvdasht district in Fars province. In addition, lowering water consumption was also considered. To achieve objectives of the study, Multi-Objective Programming approach was applied. Thementioned objectives were followed by considering the farmers preferences to reach a certain level of income. The Target MOTAD and Income Variance models were used. Desired solutions were selected using Cluster Analysis since several solutions were obtained by Income Variance model. The selection was carried out based on integratedcriterion containing three goals, namely, reduced amount of water usage, reduced risk, and increased gross margin. The results showed that there was a trade off among the goals. In selected patterns wheat tended to increase by increasing risk. The selected patterns had more cultivated area under wheat and lesser under barely, maize and vegetables. The cultivated area under broad beans was remained unchanged compare tocurrent pattern. It was also revealed that with increasing risk, the gap between the existing and optimal cropping patterns would increase