Goal Programming and Agricultural Planning

Goal Programming is similar in structure to linear programming, but offers a more flexible approach to planning problems by allowing a number of goals which are not necessarily compatible to be taken into account, simultaneously. The use of linear programming in farm planning is reviewed briefly. Consideration is given to published evidence of the goals of farmers, and ways in which these goals can be represented. A goal programming model of a 600 acre mixed farm is described and evaluated. Advantages and shortcomings of goal programming in relation to linear programming are considered. It is found that goal programming can be used as a means of generating a range of possible solutions to the planning problem.