Determination of cropping pattern for marginal farmers of Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Linear programming approach has been used for studies in optimum resource allocation and resource requirements in many countries. Cropping pattern applied by the farmer is one of the key activity for improving his income. A survey was conducted to know the cropping pattern used by the farmers of Dhamtari district to know the optimum cropping pattern for them and thereafter its effect on income. Simple random sampling technique were applied to sample farmers of Dhamtari district. Optimum solution with the land holding capital investment and labour as constraints were found. Crops included in the model were Rice, Gram, til and arhar. The maximum profit may be gained according to the proposed optimal pattern. The simplex method of solution linear programming was applied for getting the optimal solution. The optimal solution found as cropping pattern Rice-arhar, Rice-til, Rice-gram was the best pattern. The results obtained by using the linear programming model were more superior. The hike in gross income was 3.33%.