Optimizing the Cropping Pattern in Nangarhar Province Based on the Perspective of Sustainable Agricultural Development: Fuzzy Goal Programming Approach

Today, protecting the environment, considering the idea of sustainability, using natural resources, and considering long-term interests are among the most crucial factors in organizing and overseeing agriculture in any nation’s economy. Afghanistan is a dry and landlocked country where agriculture contributes significantly to employment and the people’s economy to attain both profitability and environmental sustainability, the use of mathematical programming models plays a significant role. In this research, the fuzzy goal programming method is considered to optimize the cropping pattern in three scenarios including profit maximization (fuzzy 1), sustainable development of agriculture and optimal use of water resources (fuzzy 2), and simultaneous achievement of the goals mentioned above (fuzzy 3). The data required for this research was obtained through a field survey of the completion of 928 questionnaires. The results obtained from the fuzzy goal model (3) that simultaneously considers economic and environmental goals are significant. The removal of five products (paddy, melon, watermelon, onion, and cabbage) from the cropping pattern results in a decrease of 29.01% of the total cultivated area compared to the current model in Nangarhar province. The implementation of this model shows a 0.67% increase in gross margin, equivalent to $6.90 million. The reduction in the consumption of agricultural inputs, including chemical fertilizers, agricultural pesticides, and irrigation water, by 16.92%, 30.69%, and 39.97%, respectively, aligns with sustainable agricultural practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. By decreasing the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water, farmers can contribute to reducing potential environmental pollution and conserving water resources.