scholarly journals Agricultural resources management through a linear programming approach: A case study on productivity optimization of crop-livestock farming integration

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Hemanatha P. W. Jayasuriya ◽  
Romy Das

The crop-livestock integrated farming system practiced in most developing countries depends to a greater extent on the ecosystem as a whole. The importance of animals as an agent of nutrient recycle, sources of rural energy in terms of draft power and fuel as well as major contributor of the farm economy, has resulted into increased population of ruminant stock in these regions creating threats to the sustainability and productivity of land resources. This case-study research attempted to formulate optimum herd size compatible to different resource holding farm categories within the sub watershed in mid hills region of Nepal. The research was conducted by classified data collection in Nepal and analysis using Linear Programming (LP) techniques. The LP analysis revealed that the farmers of large, medium and small categories of farms can optimize their livestock holding with combination of 3 Livestock Units (LU) buffaloes and 4 LU goats, 2 LU buffaloes and 4 LU goats and 1 LU buffaloes and 4.4 LU goats with maximum return to the farm family without exerting pressure on the fragile natural resources.

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-L. Gourdine ◽  
A. Fourcot ◽  
C. Lefloch ◽  
M. Naves ◽  
G. Alexandre

AbstractThe present study aims to assess (1) the ecosystem services (ES) provided by LFS and (2) the differential ES between local (Creole) and exotic breeds from pig, cattle and goat. The ES are defined as the benefits that humans derive from LFS. They were summarized in 12 ES indicators that cover services related to provisioning, ecological and socio-cultural aspects and territorial vitality. A total of 106 LFS units that covers the five agroecological zones of Guadeloupe were analysed. Functional typologies of LFS per species were created from surveys. The effect of breed on the ES indicators was tested. Results showed that the 40 pig LFS units were separated into 3 clusters that were differentiated in ES according to provisioning ES (cluster 1), cultural use and sale to the neighborhood (cluster 2) and pork self-consumption (cluster 3). The typology of the 57 farms with cattle distinguished 4 clusters with differences in ES provided in self-consumption (cluster1), ecological ES (cluster 2), socio-cultural ES for racing or draught oxen (cluster 3) and ES associated with territory vitality (cluster 4). The 66 goat LFS units were classified into 3 clusters different in ES concerning self-consumption (cluster 1), cultural aspects (cluster 2) and provisioning ES (cluster 3). Our study highlights that ES indicators are not breed dependent (P > 0.10) but rather livestock farming system dependent. The ES rely more on the rearing management than on the breed type, and up to now, there are no specifications in Guadeloupe to differentiate management between breeds.


2012 ◽  
Vol 548 ◽  
pp. 767-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Vanlisuta ◽  
Suksan Prombanpong

The objective of this paper is to determine the number and species of trees to be planted in order to maximize a profit through an integer linear programming model. The mathematical model is developed in terms of the profit function. This objective function is therefore, a difference between carbon credit revenue and costs of plantation. The economical plants are only considered in the model. Consequently, fourteen different tree species are to be investigated. The objective function is subjected to several constraints i.e. planting area, carbon sequestration and so on. The planting envelope of each tree is assigned 4 by 4 meters. In this paper, the Eastern part of Thailand is considered the case study. It is found that three kinds of plants, Copper pod, Cananga, and Bullet wood are suitable for planting. A number of trees to be planted in 1600 square meter are twenty, thirty, and fifty plants respectively. The profit earned is of 12,112 $ per year in the next fifth year.


2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Howard Moyst ◽  
Biman Das

Labor cost savings can be obtained by considering the effect of design rework on the degree of overlap of the ship design and construction phases. Based on data from a shipbuilding case study, a linear programming (LP) model was developed to investigate the optimum overlap of the design and construction phases. Two scenarios were modeled. The case study's start-up period, which involved design and the construction of four ships, and a hypothetical small batch program to determine the degree of overlap and total hours required for a new shipbuilding program. In each scenario, the LP model found the optimum overlap period for design and construction and the associated total hours. In the first scenario, the analysis demonstrates that by reducing the amount of overlap between the design and construction phases, a reduction in construction direct labor hours can be achieved while obtaining the overall duration and scheduled completion times. In the second case, the analysis recommends a zero overlap policy between the design and construction phases to minimize total hours while achieving the overall schedule duration. When compared with the actual case study results, the zero overlap policy estimates an $8 million saving. The analysis supports the policy to complete design activities with construction-dependency relationships before starting construction.


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