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Modeling a Small Farm Livelihood System using Linear Programming in Bindura, Zimbabwe

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, ZIMBABWE

Res. J. Management Sci., Volume 2, Issue (5), Pages 20-23, May,6 (2013)

Abstract

A livelihood system is the full range of activities available to an individual farmer. Communal farmers are often faced with the problem of how to select the optimal cropping patterns that significantly contribute to sustainable production. In this study, a linear program that reflects these choices by selecting a combination of farm activities that is feasible given a set of fixed farm constraints and that maximizes income while achieving other goals such as food security is developed. Results obtained by using linear programming and traditional methods are compared. The results obtained by using the linear programming model are more superior. The difference in gross income is 44.65%.

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