The problem of optimizing the schedule of perishable agricultural products processing

Abstract

Subject. The article addresses the economic, scientific, technological, and production activities of processing plants within the agri-industrial complex. Objectives. The study aim to analyze and describe the specifics of storing perishable agricultural products, and the impact on both the further processing and final results of a processing enterprise. Methods. We employ methods of analysis and synthesis, grouping and comparison, abstraction, generalization, and analogy. We provide a mathematical model that describes the sugar beet processing, taking into account the level of sugar content, based on methods of mathematical modeling and optimization theory. Results. Our analysis of the influence of storage time of perishable agricultural products on their further processing showed that this factor can have a serious impact on the results of processing enterprises. We investigated the issue, using the case of such an important technical culture as sugar beet. We highlight an important factor, which can significantly improve the results of economic activity of enterprises, i.e. the formation of a schedule for the order of processing of sugar beet with different levels of sugar content. Conclusions. To maximize the final output, the sugar beet processing should start with batches of maximum sugar content. We provide assessments, characterizing the level of final output, should this rule be violated. The findings may serve as a basis for developing more general mathematical models, which describe the sugar beet processing and consider other factors, including the dynamics of the process of beet pile fields replenishment with sugar beet of various sugar content.