Optimizing crop mix with respect to economic and environmental constraints: An integrated MCDM approach

Abstract

This study develops an integrated framework for assessment of cropping sustainability at the aggregate (country) level. Such sustainability criteria as total water footprint, Shannon equitability index, total output, and downside coefficient of yield variation are used to rank the crop mixes, corresponding to different assumptions. Mathematical programming model is applied to generate the crop mixes. Then, the three MCDM techniques (SAW, TOPSIS and EDАS) are applied for the ranking. Empirical analysis embarks on the case of Lithuania, which is a new EU member state. Sensitivity analysis is carried out by establishing the three weighting schemes (balanced, environment- and economy-oriented). The results suggest that scenario minimizing labour use render the most sustainable crop-mix. Correlation among the ranks of the scenarios suggests that environmental and economic approaches are conflicting between themselves, yet there is no such a serious contradiction among the latter two approaches and the balanced approach.