Location Optimization of Rapeseed and Soybean Cultivation Areas Considering Economic, Climatic and Social Criteria

Abstract

This article describes how among different oilseeds, rapeseed and soybean contain considerable amounts of protein and oil and have a specific role in agriculture and supplying food. Optimizing the cultivation areas of rapeseed and soybean based on sustainability factors will improve their productivity, economic, environmental, and social objectives. The goal of the present article is to investigate the background for cultivation of these two types of seeds using a data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Sustainable development criteria including economic, climatic and social criteria are considered in assessing the candidate locations for cultivating soybean and rapeseed by DEA model. The proposed method is applied in Iran. The Principle Component Analysis (PCA) method is used to verify and validate the results of DEA model. Results show that the DEA model can be used as a powerful tool to optimize the cultivation areas of soybean and rapeseed.