An Optimal Cropping Pattern in Karanja Command Area of Bidar District, Karnataka

Karanja dam is a medium irrigation project built in Byalhalli village of Bhalki taluka, Bidar District, Karnataka, has a Gross Command Area of 48, 968 hectares. The dam is built under drought relief program of Government of Karnataka. The dam has two main canals, Karanja Right Bank Canal (KRBC), Karanja Left Bank Canal (KLBC) and Fore Shore Lift Irrigation Scheme (FSLI). Two Linear Programming Models were formulated and run, one for KRBC and another for KLBC& FSLI combined. Managerial constraints were also included in the model keeping in view of the local food consumption. The model was subjected to land and water constraints. The crop season was divided into three categories: Kharif which spreads from June to September, Rabi from September to February and biseasonal from July to March. Linear Programming Model was solved in LINGO VII version software. The net returns obtained from the existing cropping pattern were 2311.4 million rupees and when optimal cropping model was adopted the returns were 3877.8 million rupees an increase of rupees 1900.95 million rupees. The model showed when existing cropping pattern was adopted, the net returns per hectare as Rs: 47, 200, while in optimal cropping pattern, the net returns per hectare were Rs: 79, 200 an increase of Rs: 32, 000 (67 %).