Determination of Kashmar Plain Cropping Pattern Based on Maintenance of Groundwater Resources Quality

اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی

Article 5, Volume 26, Issue 4, December 2012, Pages 261-271   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jead2.v1391i4.19895

Authors

S. Shirzadi Laskookalayeh^{* 1}; M. Sabouhi Sabouni²; A. Jalali³

¹Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural resources University-

²Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

³University of Zabol, Iran

Abstract

In the present study, ranking of agricultural land use constraints for about 700 hectares of Kashmar plain lands were determined by studying the consumption of the chemical fertilizers and impacts of irregular harvest on the quality of the groundwater resources. The studied lands were divided into 8 groups. The quality and more use restrictions were ranked by Vicor multi-criteria programming method and the related factors and indicators. Using weighted goal programming model with consideration to the 4 environmental and economical goals for each group simultaneously,, optimal cultivating pattern, sustainable management of groundwater use and achievement to the sustainable agriculture were proposed. The required data were collected from the Agriculture Administration, the Regional Water administration and the meteorological office of Kashmar County in 2011. Results showed that priority ranking of land use restrictions should be considered to prevent more damages to the agricultural areas. The results on the agricultural water resources quality during 2009 and 2011 showed that salinity increment in different subdivisions has developed. This causes the regional agriculture to face serious damages in the near future. Therefore, in order to achieve a comprehensive management on exploiting the regional groundwater resources, it is necessary to pay attention to some programs such as groundwater quality management, cultivation pattern change, cultivating the more resistant plants to salinity, replacing the chemical fertilizers with organic ones and considering the sustainable agriculture in the region..

Keywords

Goal Programming; Vikor Method; Sustainable agriculture; Groundwater quality