Introducing a Strategy for Selection of Plowing Systems Using Hybrid SWOT-AHP Method (Khodabandeh, Zanjan)

ماشین های کشاورزی

Article 6, Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 9, 2015, Pages 52-62   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jam.v5i1.26308

Authors

K. Afsahi^{* 1}; A. Akram²; R. Alimardani²; M. Azizi²

¹Zanjan University

²University of Tehran

Abstract

For improvement or change in a plowing system, it is crucial that all important parameters to be taken in account. Recommendation of a tillage system should receive supports from research data as well as from skilled farmers in order to find a resolution to problems of that system. In this study, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of different tillage systems for wheat cultivation in the Khodabandeh region (Zanjan province, Iran) were identified and ranked using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Based on the viewpoints of skilled farmers, the main threats in tillage systems, which include small farm lands in the region, lack of qualitative research on new tillage systems and lack of government support, affected the system selection (32 percent), relative strengths(26 percent), opportunities (22 percent), and weakness(20 percent). Because of these threats, farmers keep using conventional tillage method (with the value of 47 percent) in spite of their awareness about the benefits of conservation tillage and no-tillage methods. In this situation, the recommended measures are; making new policies for the land integration, performing qualitative research specially on new machinery, clarifying the government's policies on exporting and importing agricultural products and on the amount of guaranteed prices of products before starting the growing season. By these activities the threats can be replaced by opportunities and strengths.

Keywords

Opportunities; Strengths; Tillage; Threats; Weaknesses

References

1. Adler, M., and E. Ziglio. 1996. Gazing into the oracle: the Delphi method and its application to social policy and public health. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London. England.

2. Alimardani, R. 2010. Modern tillage systems. Iranian Agricultural Science Publication. Tehran. Iran. (In Farsi).

3. Almasi, M., Sh. Kiani, and N. Loveimi. 2008. Principles of agricultural mechanization. Jungle Publication. Tehran. Iran. (In Farsi).

4. Bujaczek, R., K. Sławiński, A. and Grieger. 2013. Agricultural machines maintenance and repair services in western Pomerania. Technical Sciences. University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

5. Butani, K. M., and G. Singh. 1994. Decision support system for the selection of agricultural machinery with a case study in India. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 10: 91-104.

6. Erenstein, O., and V. Laxmi. 2008. Zero tillage impacts in India's rice–wheat systems: a review. Soil and Tillage Research 100 (1): 1-14.

7. Gomez, J. A., T. A. Sobrinho, J. V. Giraldez, and E. Fereres. 2009. Soil management effects on runoff, erosion and soil properties in an olive grove of Southern Spain. Soil and Tillage Research 102 (1): 5-13.

8. Ho, W. 2008. Integrated analytic hierarchy process and its applications–A literature review. European Journal of Operational Research 186 (1): 211-228.

9. Ismail, Z. E., M. M. Ibrahim, and S. A. Embaby. 2009. Economic evaluation and selection of farm machinery. Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering 26 (4): 1667-1681.

10. Javadi, A., M. H. Rahmati, and A. Tabatabaeefar. 2009. Sustainable tillage methods for irrigated wheat production in different regions of Iran. Soil and Tillage Research 104 (1): 143-149.

11. Jin, H., W. Qingjie, L. Hongwen, L. Lijin, and G. Huanwen. 2009. Effect of alternative tillage and residue cover on yield and water use efficiency in annual double cropping system in North China Plain. Soil and Tillage Research 104 (1): 198-205.

12. Johnson, T. G., W. J. Brown, and K. O'Grady. 1985. A multivariate analysis of factors influencing farm machinery purchase decisions. Western Journal of Agricultural Economics 10 (2): 294-306.

13. Kurttila, M., M. Pesonen, J. Kangas, and M. Kajanus. 2000. Utilizing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in SWOT analysis-a hybrid method and its application to a forest-certification case. Forest Policy and Economics 1 (1): 41-52.

14. Lafond, G., B. McConkey, and M. Stumborg. 2009. Conservation tillage models for small-scale farming: Linking the Canadian experience to the small farms of inner mongolia autonomous region in china. Soil and Tillage Research 104 (1): 150-155.

15. Lak, M. B., and A. M. Borgaee. 2011. Multi-criteria decision making based in choosing an appropriate tractor. Journal of Agricultural Machinery Engineering 1 (1): 41-47.

16. Manuwa, S. 2009. Performance evaluation of tillage tines operating under different depths in a sandy clay loam soil. Soil and Tillage Research 103 (2): 399-405.

17. Melero, S., R. Lopez-Garrido, J. M. Murillo, and F. Moreno. 2009. Conservation tillage: Short-and long-term effects on soil carbon fractions and enzymatic activities under Mediterranean conditions. Soil and Tillage Research 104 (2): 292-298.

18. Mortazavi, M., A. Zarei, and H. Raanaei. 2006. Prioritizing of agricultural changes with emphasis on AHP. Journal of Research in Agriculture and Orchard 72: 2-14. (In Farsi).

19. Noori, J., M. Abbaspour, and B. Maghsoodlu. 2006. Environmental assessment for industrial development policy of Iran using analysis approach of strategic factors. Journal of Research Environmental Science and Technology 29: 25-38. (In Farsi).

20. Ogunlowo, A. S. 1997. Machinery selection based on gross-marging costing analysis: A case study of Abeokuta local government areas in Nigeria. West Indian Journal of Engineering 19 (2): 40-48.

21. Sadeghnejad, M. H., and K. Eslami. 2006. Comparison of the wheat yield with changing the tillage method. Journal of Agricultural Science 12 (1): 103-112. (In Farsi).

22. Schmoldt, D. L. 2001. The analytic hierarchy process in natural resource and environmental decision making. Springer Science and Business Media.

23. Shrestha, R. K., J. R. Alavalapati, and R. S. Kalmbacher. 2004. Exploring the potential for silvopasture adoption in south-central Florida: an application of SWOT–AHP method. Agricultural Systems 81 (3): 185-199.

24. Simoes, R., R. Raper, F. Arriaga, K. Balkcom, and J. Shaw. 2009. Using conservation systems to alleviate soil compaction in a Southeastern United States ultisol. Soil and Tillage Research 104 (1): 106-114.

25. Statistical year book of Zanjan Convince. 2011. Zanjan: Deputy of planning of Zanjan Convince. (In Farsi).

26. Varsa, E. C., S. K. Chong, J. O. Abolaji, D. A. Farguhar, and F. J. Olsen. 1997. Effect of deep tillage on soil physical characteristics and corn ( Zea mays L.) root growth and production. Soil and Tillage Research 43: 219-228.

27. Winter, S. R. 1983. Efficient deep tillage for sugarbeet on pullman clay loam. American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists 22 (1): 29-33.

28. Wissema, J. 1982. Trends in technology forecasting. R&D Management 12 (1): 27-36.

29. Yüksel, İ., and M. Dagdeviren. 2007. Using the analytic network process (ANP) in a SWOT analysis-A case study for a textile firm. Information Sciences 177 (16): 3364-3382.

30. Zaerpour, N., M. Rabbani, A. H. Gharehgozli, and R. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam. 2008. Make-to-order or make-to-stock decision by a novel hybrid approach. Advanced Engineering Informatics 22 (2): 186-201.