Management of Irrigation Water for Cropping Pattern Using a Mathematical Linear Programming Methodology / Case Study

The main objective is to study the efficiency of using the linear programming methodology in management of irrigation water of cropping pattern in Swaida Province, Syria, through a questionnaire targeting 106 farmers during 2021-2022. In the actual crop pattern, irrigation water estimated at 5.9 million m3, while the proposed cropping pattern model reduced it by 44.86% where it estimated at 3.25 million m3. Each crop has obtained an Irrigation water requirement according to the FAO CROPAT 8.0 program. The proposed linear programming model increased in the area of: peas, Dry Broad Beans, parsley, beans, garlic, pepper, cabbage, Squash, eggplant, Cucumbers, Cauliflower about 691.96%, 656.21%, 398.72%, 277.98%, 204.51%, 175.44%, 118.21 %, 88.43 %, 61.56 %, 32.43 %, 23.82 % respectively over the actual area. and reducing the area of: Okra, watermelon, cucumber Ajour, potatoes, melon, tomato, wheat, onions by 5.14%, 12.08%, 15.24%, 18.54%, 28.66%, 83.75%, 88.32%, 90%, respectively, of the actual area. The study recommends the necessity of interfering in preparing agricultural plans for cropping pattern by relying on correct scientific methodologies and away from randomness in a manner that serves the achievement of self-sufficiency and preservation of available resources, and sustainability of natural resources that are characterized by scarcity, especially water.