Determining the Optimal Cropping Pattern with Emphasis on Water Resources Limitation in Arzuiyeh County

Most of the methods used so far to determine the optimal cropping patterns have merely aimed at increasing the profits of producers. While in most parts of Iran, over-use of limited resources has jeopardized sustainable production. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the goals of minimizing the consumption of scarce inputs such as water in determining the optimal cropping pattern. The aim of the present study is to determine the optimal cropping pattern according to water shortage conditions in Arzuiyeh region of Kerman province in the 2013-14 crop year. For this purpose, positive mathematical programming method was used. The results showed that by applying a limit of 5 to 40% in the supply of irrigation water, the area under cultivation of all selected crops in the city of Arzuiyeh, except irrigated wheat, which is low in water use compared to other irrigated crops, is reduced. Therefore, the implementation of appropriate policy programs such as the guaranteed price of wheat and barley in line with inflation, determining the water rate paid by farmers in accordance with the trend of changes in the economic value of water in the long run and using the policy of limiting available water resources suggested.