The Potential Role of Multilevel Programming in Agricultural Economics

Abstract

Abstract This paper discusses a new class of problem related to mathematical programming but with two separate decision makers in hierarchical relationship, each with his own objective function and control over distinct but interacting variables. The relationship of this problem to agricultural (energy and environmental) policy problems is developed, together with the relationship of this new problem structure to mathematical programming, game theory, control theory, and principal agent theory. Suggested computational approaches are reviewed, along with the solution to two illustrative examples of the use of the technique.