Optimization of Cropping Pattern for Karjan Reservoir, India, Using Rao Algorithm

Appropriate allocation of water resources is required for better yield of crop. One of the major left bank tributaries of Narmada River, India, is the Karjan River. The Karjan reservoir is a single purpose reservoir, meant for irrigation. The culturable command area of left bank main canal (LBMC) of Karjan reservoir is 425.1 km2 and right bank main canal (RBMC) is 136.9 km2. In the present study, an optimizing model is developed for maximizing net benefits for a crop area using Rao-1 algorithm and compared with linear programming model. Rao-1 algorithm only requires common controlling parameters such as population size and number of iterations and does not require any parameter specific to the algorithm. Two scenarios have been used in the present study. In the first case, net benefits are evaluated using existing cropping pattern, and in the second case, a cropping pattern has been proposed using LP and Rao-1 models to maximize net benefits. The constraints like reservoir storage, water allocation, evaporation, and overflow have been considered for developing the optimization model. The finding shows that the cropping area should be increased for sugarcane, wheat, and Juvar crops to maximize net benefits. The outcome of Rao-1 algorithm was compared with linear programming (LP) model and was observed to be better.