Application of Linear and Nonlinear Programming Models in Specifying Land Use, Spatial Equilibrium and Prices for Agriculture

Abstract

In this paper we deal with the application of spatial programming models to solve certain problems in interregional competition, land use and production capacity of U.S. agriculture. The studies were initiated partly because programming models and modern computers now allow the analysis of a large number of interdependent sectors represented by regions and commodities. They also were initiated for policy purposes to determine how large U.S. agricultural capacity is and the need for supply control and price support measure; to determine the amount of food the U.S. might export under different foreign aid policies and the effect of the level of output on different farm regions and rural communities; and to determine the cost of land retirement under alternative programs. In these respects, a major use of the models was in an analysis for the National Advisory Commission on Food and Fiber in its recommendations for future agricultural policy.^{1 /}