Determination of Optimum Crop Mix Using Linear (LP) Programming among Small Holder Farmers in Agricultural Zone Four of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Linear programming was applied to farm data collected from 120 smallholder farmers in 2017/18 cropping season in agricultural zone four (4) of Adamawa state, Nigeria for the purpose of identifying optimal crop mix to maximize revenue. A total of twenty (20) cropping enterprises were identified in the existing cropping pattern, fifteen (15) mixed and five (5) sole cropping enterprises. Popular enterprises identified included four mixed and two sole cropping enterprises and all the six enterprises showed positive net return. The result of the linear programming analysis however, showed that the optimal farm plan at observed maximum resource levels admitted only groundnut and sorghum in the final plan to be produced at 2 hectares with an associated total gross margin of N478, 380.00. In the sensitivity analysis identified with the observed maximum resource level, land was the only binding resource in the final plan. The optimal farm plan at observed average resource levels showed that three enterprises; groundnut/sorghum, maize/sorghum and sole maize were admitted in the final plan under 0.45ha, 0.21ha and 0.17ha, respectively. The associated total gross margin was N153, 003.99. In the sensitivity analysis associated with the observed average resources, only NPK, SSP, Laraforce were binding resources. The study recommended that the optimum enterprises and resources combination obtained in the Linear Programming output should be extended to the farmers to enhance their profit level, beside; farmers should be encouraged through adequate support and promotions to improve the production techniques of these recommended enterprises.