Author : Shwe Mar Than

Summary : This study was conducted to determine the optimal cropping patterns at the farm level in the Kingda dam irrigated area, Mandalay Division, Myanmar. Specifically, the study aimed to : (1) describe the existing cropping patterns in the study area; (2) compare the profitability of existing crops and cropping patterns among rice farms by farm size in each Agricultural Extension Site, AES; (3) determine the optimal crop combinations or cropping patterns at the farm level for different farm sizes in various AESs given land, family, labor, and capital constraints; (4) identify the production constraints of rice farmers in the study area; (5) recommend policies to improve farmers' income and land use patterns in irrigated lands based on the findings of the study. Results of cost and returns analysis of crops and cropping patterns showed that chili and onion were the most profitable crops and sesame frequently gave higher BCR compared to other crops. Generally, non-rice based cropping patterns have higher RAVC than rice-based cropping patterns. LP results showed that the most profitable cropping pattern in all farm categories in Yitkan AES was the rice-chili cropping pattern. Findings of the study also revealed that the optimal solutions (RAVC) particularly in Kume and Mine Maw, which are among the major cotton-producing areas in Myitthar township, were more sensitive to simultaneous changes in cotton yield and cotton price as well as the removal of input subsidies to cotton than to a change in cotton price alone, but with input subsidies for this crop and a change in cotton price, but without input subsidies.