The irrigation water requirements of major crops and the total available wa
ter through canal and ground water in the command of Shahi Distributory was
estimated. A linear programming model was formulated to suggest the optima
l cropping pattern giving the maximum net return at different water availab
ility levels. The objective function of the model was subject to the follow
ing constraints: total available water and land during different seasons, t
he minimum area under wheat and rice for local food requirements, farmers'
socio-economic conditions, and preference to grow a particular crop in a sp
ecific area. This model gave the optimal cropping pattern for a command are
a of 11,818 ha at water availability levels of 100, 70 and 50 and net retur
ns of Rs. 185, 146 and 114 million, respectively. It was found that the wat
er available in the command area may support optimally 4981, 3560, 1817, 63
2, 355, 87 and 3653 ha of wheat, sugarcane, mustard, lentil, potato, chick
pea, and rice, respectively, to get a maximum net return of Rs. 185 million
at 100% water availability level. Wheat appears to provide the most consis
tent profit in the command area. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.