When, where and what cultivate: An optimization model for rural property planning

Sustainable production and land use planning are recurring challenges in the agricultural and forestry activities. In this context, a mathematical programming model is proposed that allows for both optimal production planning and its updating, without land exploitation. The proposed model, based on cash flows, maximizes the overall profit and includes two types of decision variables: the first relates to design of new activities, while the second concerns adaptation of existing activities. Land use capability is considered as a model constraint to avoid deleterious land uses. In a simulated property, the proposed model was able to conceive and update production planning, with suitable prescriptions for production and conservation units, besides eliminating all improper land uses. Adaptation prescriptions were essential to meet stipulated revenue demands, idealized as a financial security measurement for the landowner. New production demands were met through an efficient transition from existing (banana, cocoa and passion-fruit) to new activities (banana, cocoa, passion-fruit, lemon and mango). The proposed model can assist in sustainable production at property level, once it can identify opportunities for production intensification while maintaining the integrity of productive and conservation areas. In addition, the model can create and update production planning. Its large scale use may provide environmental service benefits to the overall agricultural landscape. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The proposed mathematical programming model integrates cash flows to achieve optimal production planning and updates, avoiding harmful land use. The model provides ideal financial security measures for landowners and meets new production demands.