Integrated Resource Planning of a Minor Irrigation Command through Multi Objective Programming Tools

This book addresses the underexplored domain of command area planning for minor irrigation systems in India, which contribute to approximately 41.85 million hectares of irrigation coverage. Unlike major irrigation projects that have benefited from extensive research on optimal water use, minor irrigation systems lack such focused planning approaches. Utilizing a linear programming model and solved through LINDO software, the study presents integrated crop and livestock planning for the Gunduraposi Minor Irrigation Project (MIP) in Dhenkanal district, Odisha. The analysis reveals that when profit maximization is prioritized, rice cultivation occupies 58.7% of the command area, while production maximization increases this to 62%, and investment minimization reduces it to 56%. The study demonstrates that profit increases by 9% under production maximization and by 3.22% under net return maximization compared to the investment minimization model. These findings highlight the potential of optimization models to enhance the economic viability of minor irrigation projects.