THE IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF OPTIMUM CROP PATTERN ON AGRICULTURAL LOCATION IN MAKAH MOKARAMAH REGION | ||
| Journal of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences | ||
| Article 4, Volume 27, Issue 6, June 2002, Pages 3863-3888 PDF (7.18 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jaess.2002.255559 | ||
| Author | ||
| A. R. AI-Sharif, | ||
| Geography Dept. , Faculty of Arts and Humanities | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The study aim at attaining the optimum alternative of crop patterns in Makah Mokaramah region in the shade of the different parameters and factors associated with crop pattern choices. These parameters include natural and economical factors such as weather, soil, labor, and water needs. Water needs are considered one of the major parameters that determine agricultural orientation. Within that framework, the study included five main chapters to achieve the stated objectives of the study. The study included a condensed literature review on crop patterns in the region of Makah Mokaramah That included the natural conditions, such as quantities of rain, temperatures, and relative humidity. The study findings revealed the importance of these factors and their impact on the disparity of crop patterns in the region of Makah Mokaramah These factors have a direct impact on the J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ., 27(6), June, 2002 choice of appropriate crops for every season of the different agricultural seasons, or different seeds on certain dates to avoid any infections by pests or diseases. The study also tackled the rest of agricultural resources that include land, land is considered the main parameter that determines crop pattern in the region. The total farmers' holdings area reached about 1,425 million donums in the region. With regard to crop pattern in the region, the total area of perennial crops reached about 36,877 donums, and total area of temporary crops reached about 175,980 donums for winter crops, and 79,370 donums for summer crops. The branch of Makah Mokaramah represents about 33% of the total summer crops of the total area of the region. Such percentage ensures the specialization of the branch in the cultivation of vegetable crops, which is due to the quick returns of vegetable crops and the proximity of the branch to urban markets in the Makah region. The study also touched upon agricultural labor, there three types of farmers in the region of Makah Mokaramah landlords, tenants, and participatory or sharing farmers. The study also touched upon the cultural characteristics and level of education in the agricultural sector. The findings revealed that about 71 % of population are illiterate and 13% know how to read and write. With regard to the distribution of labor on different economic activities including the agricultural, hunting, and forestry, the finding revealed that the agricultural sector has a low share and retreated to the fifth rank from the first rank it has had occupied before. The findings assured that the agricultural sector has become labor repellant to other sectors, with a percentage of 7.71 % of the total labor force in all other economic activities. With regard water resources and water needs of different crops, the study findings pointed out that the highest water needy crops are Hegazi clover, followed by citrus, dates, and grapes (perennial crops). The water needs of these crops reached about 47,670, 36,268, 32,246, and 27,600 cubic meters respectively. The study also touched upon the current status of crop patterns in the region of Makah Mokaramah The findings unveiled that the crops of area could be categorized in four different categories: cereals, vegetables, fodder, and fruits, they represent about 33.78%, 26.75%, 23.3%, and 11.61% respectively. With regard to the development of crop and production area of the four different categories the constitute the crop pattern in the region of Makah Mokaramah, the study disclosed that general trend, either up or down, for all crops within the four different categories, and the general trend relative stability of some crops with no change in their cultivated area. Productivity development trend points out to an increase for most of the crops, and that increase is statistically significant. This is due mainly to technological advancements in the field of new varieties and recent" breeds as well as the application of modern techniques and methods in the different agricultural processes. Crop pattern prediction is considered of great importance in the region of Makah Mokaramah to achieve the objectives of that pattern, especially when crop pattern mean the desiqnation and commitment of land resource in the light of certain parameters and variables in the choice of crop patterns that take into consideration all economic, technological, and social variables of the region. With the framework of the study, crop patterns have been prepared using linear programming in the preparation of mathematical models to determine the appropriate crop patterns to arrive at the optimum solutions. The optimum solutions arrive at the best fit to the different variables included in the equation that achieves the maximization of total return of crop patterns in the region. The solutions the mathematical models give revealed that there are many valuable results and important indicators. The outputs of the model revealed many important results and indicators: The model, which is developed especially for the suggested crop pattern using surface irrigation, has achieved an increase in total revenues estimated to be at about SR. 46.281 millions, with percentage increase of about 5.92% compared to the current crop pattern. At crop groups level, the findings of the model pointed out that cereal group, in the suggested crop pattern, has achieved a decrease in total revenues reached about S.R. 5.1 millions, represent about 12.87% compared to current crops pattern. This is due mainly to a decrease in the suggested cultivated areas of cereals according to the model findings. The vegetable group, in the suggested crop pattern, has achieved an increase in total revenues reached about S.R. 26.46 millions, represent about 13.52% compared to current crops pattern. Fodder group, in the suggested crop pattern, has achieved an increase in total revenues reached about S.R. 22.84 millions, represent about 17.58% compared to current crops pattern. Fruit group, in the suggested crop pattern, has achieved an increase in total. revenues reached about S.R. 2.20 millions, represent about 0.53% compared to current crops pattern. The findings of the model analysis are congruent with the specific geographical nature of the Makah Mokaramah region with regards to the limited available agricultural resources, especially agricultural lands. For the model, it is noteworthy to mention that in addition to the achievement of its objectives in terms of increases in total revenues for vegetable, fruit, and fodder groups, these groups are compatible with the nature of the farming system in the region that is characteristic with small holdings. Furthermore, these crop groups have fast returns due to the accessibility and proximity to commercial markets. While· the model suggests a decrease cereal crops group area and in turn a decrease in total revenues of the group in the Makah Mokaramah region. The model findings are in line with social goals of the state that concentrates on the stability of inhabitation and settlement of farmers in agricultural areas to limit internal migration to main urban areas and cities, hence achieving the social goals of the Kingdom. | ||
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