A simple procedure to reduce production risk in vegetables double cropping: An evidence from Jordan

Bassam Aldeseit and Ali Al-Sharafat

Abstract: Determination of optimum combination of cropping area of two or more crops to be produced is crucial issue to reduce production risks. This study investigated a simple optimization procedure to minimize production risks. The procedure concentrated on making the optimum use of land in double cropping of tomatoes and cucumber. The analysis was carried out using eleven combinations of cultivated land area ranging from 0% to 100% for each of the two crops. The study utilized data related to cultivated areas, quantities of production and wholesale market prices of tomato and cucumber crops for a period of 10 years (2008-2017). The data were retrieved and downloaded from the website of the Jordanian Department of Statistics. The results of the study suggest that double cropping of tomatoes and cucumber in Jordan is a useful cultivation system in reducing production risks by growing 30% of the area with tomatoes and 70% of the area with cucumber. The study recommended that agricultural extension activities should be directed to encourage farmers to benefit from simple land use optimization procedures in their double cropping activities for best land resource allocation such as the one adopted in this study.

Keywords: coefficient of variation; double cropping; Jordan; land use; optimization; vegetables

Date published: 2021-02-25