Prioritizing cropping alternatives based on attribute specification and comparison using MADM models

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a logical procedure and its effectiveness to handle set of alternatives for attaining rabi cropping pattern by multiple attribute decision making (MADM) approach which includes methods viz. simple additive weighting (SAW), weighted product method (WPM), technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMEHTEE). The study area is concerned with banahil distributary of akaltara branch canal of Hasdeo Bango irrigation command, Janjgir-Champa district, Chattisgarh, India. It covers 8 villages of Akaltara Block and 14 villages of Pamgarh Block in Janjgir-Champa District. Information on various attributes/criteria like type of crops (wheat, mustard, gram, safflower, sunflower), type of soil (clay, clay loam, sandy loam) cropped area, water usage, cost of production, cost of cultivation (including irrigation cost) and sale price of crops had been collected from various government departments (Agriculture and Water Resources) etc. and group of farmers from the local command area. Results obtained with MADM approach is compared with the non-linear optimization model (NLP) developed using LINGO standard optimization package. Based on the above decision making method and LINGO model results, wheat is found to be most profitable crop followed by sunflower. Performance of MADM is found to be satisfactory and ranking had been obtained for the crops considered in the study.