Integrated Multi-criterial Decision Model: a Case Study for the Allocation of Facilities in Chinese Agriculture

Abstract

The proposed methodology of integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Goal Programming (GP) in this paper provides decision-makers with the flexibility needed to allocate resources by considering both quantitative and qualitative decision criteria. A large-scale linear goal programming model is established in order to optimize allocation of facilities for a grain harvesting and post-harvest system within a province in China. The proposed model includes multiple conflicting goals with inconsistent units requiring prioritization. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to set up priorities for strategic goals in a grain harvesting and post-harvest system, including the two most important goals in the linear goal programming model: grain loss and production cost. Multiple-phase Simplex Algorithm for linear goal programming is then used to get a solution. The original data in this case study are collected from an on-site investigation of Chinese agriculture. The results of AHP and the GP model show that decreasing the grain loss is the most important goal in a grain harvesting and post-harvest system, and it would be possible to decrease it to 13%, and even to 10%, but it is impossible to decrease the grain loss rate to 5% under the present conditions for facilities and techniques.