The Environmental Approach for the Determination of the Optimal Cropping Pattern by Using Goal Programming Model

Due to rapid increase of country’s population, the requirement to produce more agricultural products is felt in society more than before. But increases in production have always been associated with increasing the acreage or more consumption of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Because the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers can make serious risks for the environment and health, the purpose of this study is determining optimal pattern of agricultural crops by environmental approach (using a minimum of pesticides and chemical fertilizers). In this research, the statistics and information of products in Varamin plain has been used during 2008- 2009. The Goal Programming Model also is used to determine the optimal pattern. The results show that if the pattern of crop based on minimal use of fertilizers (phosphate, urea and potash) and chemical pesticides (herbicide, fungicides and insecticide); the area of cultivation reduces from 51520 to 35534/33 hectare. As a result, at first, the cultivation of cucurbit crops is decreased and in the second the cultivation of cereals is reduced. Also, planting of alfalfa is increased.