Appropriate Intercropping Systems for Coconut Small Holders: An Application of Multi-Period Linear Programming Technique in Coconut – Based Farming Systems

Anura Herath

Sri Lankan Journal of Agricultural Economics, 1993, vol. 01, 21

Abstract: Increasing the productivity of coconut-based farming systems is an important development issue. To achieve increased productivity, intercropping of coffee, pepper and cocoa with coconut was recommended. Farmers’ adoption of such intercropping on a sustained basis has been very poor. The paper provides some intercropping plans developed using a multi-period linear programming model of the coconut-based farming systems. Farmers’ objectives, namely profit maximizing and survival, and resource constraints are included. The model maximizes the present value of gross margins of intercropping activities for a 20-year period. Both market interest and farmers’ time preference rates are used as discount rates. Government subsidies for intercropping are included to highlight their implications on the model results. The intercropping plans envisage that coffee, pepper or cocoa be planted in several stages simultaneously with annual and semi-perennial crops such as vegetables, betels, banana and pine apple. This method is markedly different from the recommended coconut intercropping methods. Utilizing the results, recommendations are made on intercropping subsidy policy and research strategies for coconut-based farming systems.

Keywords: Farm Management; Land Economics/Use; Productivity Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1993
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:saeasj:205564

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.205564

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