A Study on the Optimal Cropping Pattern in Iran Using Nonlinear-Fractional Programming

The purpose of this study is to find optimal cropping pattern in Iran, which maximizes the net income return per cubic meter of water consumed. Our aim is to achieve the efficient utilization of the scarce water resources. For attaining this goal, the method offractional programming was applied to data collected from the site of Ministry of Jihad-E-keshavarzi, statistical center of Iran and yearbook of agriculture. This study was performed in two scenarios one under internal prices scenarios and the other underinternational prices scenario. The ratio of income to water consumed is taking as measure to gauge consistency rate. The findings show that the ratio of income to water consumed in fractional programming is higher than that of in linear programming. In other words, in optimum pattern of cropping the amount of water consumed is reduced considerably .Based on the findings, it can thus be concluded that we can enhance the performance of agricultural sector by adopting the appropriate pricing policies.