Simulation and mathematical programming decision-making support for smallholder farming

Andrew J. Collins (), Kasi Bharath Vegesana (), Michael Seiler (), Patrick O’Shea (), Prasanna Hettiarachchi () and Frederic McKenzie ()
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Andrew J. Collins: Old Dominion University
Kasi Bharath Vegesana: Old Dominion University
Patrick O’Shea: Appalachian State University
Prasanna Hettiarachchi: Saaraketha
Frederic McKenzie: Old Dominion University

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2013, vol. 33, issue 3, 427-439

Abstract: Abstract Many mathematical programs have been developed over the past 50 years to aid agricultural experts and other farming decision-makers. The application of these mathematical programs has seen limited success because their development has focused on mathematical theory as opposed to the requirements needed for application. This paper describes the development of two mathematical programs that were designed to integrate with a visualization simulation that aids a nontraditional group of agricultural decision-makers: illiterate Sri Lankan subsistence farmers. The simulation was designed to help these illiterate farmers make business decisions about their crop selection choices which, in turn, will help them develop their business plans required for obtaining bank micro-loans. This paper’s focus is on the use of linear programming as a potential tool to demonstrate the benefits of crop diversification and rotation to the farmer based on various available crop types. It also highlights the issues using such an approach.

Keywords: Agriculture; Farming; Mathematical programming; Modeling and simulation; Visualization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-013-9460-7

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