Agro-industry Supply Chain Research Articles

A mixed-integer linear programming model for harvesting, loading and transporting sugarcane. A case study in Peru

Due to opportunities for economic and social development in the biofuels market, improvement to the supply chain has become a relevant matter. In agro-industrial supply chains, procurement costs are highly relevant. Since sugarcane is a high performance raw material for ethanol production, this paper proposes a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Model for cost optimization for harvesting, loading and transportation operations. The model determines the quantity of machines and workers to meet the biofuel plant requirements. Costs of resources for harvesting and loading as well as transportation costs from the land parcel to the production plant are minimized. Also, the model calculates the cost of penalties for shortages (unmet demand) and the cost of equipment idle time. The implementation of the model in a Peruvian biofuels company, showed a cost reduction of around 11 % when compared to the current costs.

Raw Material Procurement on Agroindustrial Supply Chain Management: A Case Survey of Fruit Processing Industries in Indonesia

Abstract In sub-system of Indonesian agribusiness, fruit processing industries are major component of agroindustrial activities. In term of economic development, these fruit processing industries contribute significant amount to employment and income generation. The objective of this research was to evaluate present condition of procurement system as a part of supply chain management in fruit processing industries. Based on a purposive sample survey in in East Java province, Indonesia, this research paper illustrated raw material procurement factors and problems encountered in these fruit processing industries. The data used for analysis was obtained through a survey conducted in the study area. Direct visit to 63 the fruit processing industries and discussion with key persons were implemented to reach deep information. Most fruit processing industries used more than one raw material supplier to reach more alternatives and more guarantees to procure large quantity of raw material. Most of big industries used contract system in raw material procurement to reduce risk because of large amount of raw material requirement for large number of production. Continuity and resource of raw material were identified as very strong and strong factors in raw material procurement of fruit processing industries.

Impacto de los costos logísticos en la competitividad de las cadenas de suministro agroexportadoras peruanas en el contexto del TLC Perú-EE.UU. al 2015

This research develops an analysis of the impact of logistics costs on the competitiveness of the extended supply chains of Peruvian agro-exporting companies that operate in the context of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Peru. To do so, it correlates the costs distribution behavior of seven supply chains: the exports of asparagus, coffee, mango, grapes, cacao, quinoa, and onion, which operate under the FTA, with the results of the Compared Revealed Exports Advantage Index (IVCRE) applied to each of the agro-industrial supply chains studied.

Current Condition of Agroindustrial Supply Chain of Cassava Products: A Case Survey of East Java, Indonesia

Abstract As an agricultural product, cassava is recognized as a special commodity which has high potential for local and export product. High production cost and low selling price are still become common problem faced by farmers. These common problem leads to low income for the farmers. The opinion to cassava product as unimportance product with low profit has consequence to make low of institution involvement to this product. The objective of this research was to evaluate the current condition of supply chain of cassava products. Direct visit to the farmers and discussion with some industries were implemented to this research. Sampling method was used to reach accurate data from farmers and industries in each research area. It was starting from the industries which use cassava as raw material for production process. The result revealed that strong involvement actors in supply chain of cassava product were farmers, big and small collectors, industries (processors or producer), food store and consumers. The details of flow of material, financial and information were identified in this research. Added value of selected products of cassava also explained is this paper.

The Emerging Potential of By-Products as Platforms for Drug Delivery Systems

Natural resources are widely used as raw materials by industries. In most cases, abundant byproducts with low economic interest are also generated from agro-industrial supply chains. There are several examples for the rational use of agro-industrial byproducts in the nanobiotechnology field aiming for the development of novel products and high value added processes. Such raw materials include carapaces, pelages, blood, bagasses, and straws. Molecules from such materials (e.g. chitosan, cellulose, and albumin) are used as scaffolds of unprecedented novel nanostructure. Research efforts comprising a combination of sustainability, nanobiotechnology, and nanomedicine have emerged. One major area in nano-biotechnological research of agro-industrial byproducts is represented by the field of drug delivery systems (DDS). Among the main advantages of agro-industrial byproducts used as drug carriers are their abundance; low price; high biocompatibility; good biodegradability; moderate bioresorbability, associated with reduced systemic toxicity or even no toxicity; and often bioactivity. The goal of these efforts includes not only the possibility to characterize and manipulate matter on the nanoscale, but also to develop sustainable products and processes, including the development of platforms for drug delivery aiming for the treatment of pathologies such as cancer and diabetes. Indeed, there is great hope that the use of agro-industrial byproducts in nanobiotechnology will increase not only agricultural and livestock productivity, but will also contribute to other areas such as the development of DDS with new properties and low production costs; and sustainable environmental management due to the reuse of industrial discharged byproducts. This review will compile current findings on the use of byproducts as building blocks for modern drug carrier systems, emphasizing the challenges and promising applications.

Agroecological transition, innovation and lock-in effects: The impact of the organizational design of supply chains

The French agricultural production system has to evolve towards more environmentally friendly practices. Although research is developing new agricultural cropping systems, getting them adopted by the agricultural profession remains difficult. This technological lock-in effect can be explained by a set of self-reinforcement mechanisms, which strengthen a productive choice established initially in favor of an agriculture based on intensive use of inputs, at the expense of other alternatives. This work aims at analyzing the organizational structure of the durum wheat supply chain to assess the characteristics that are likely to speed-up or restrain the adoption of new production systems. Our results show that the low degree of integration of the supply chain can be viewed as a lock-in mechanism. Therefore, the organizational structure of the supply chain itself can play the role of a self-reinforcement mechanism that reduces the incentives to adopt new practices. The literature on sociotechnical transitions shows that a solution to unlock the system is to create small and highly integrated supply chains (niches), besides the traditional agro-industrial supply chains. The question is then how the value generated by these niche supply chains has to be shared in order to give enough incentives to producers to choose new (and more costly) practices.

Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Rantai Pasok Koperasi Pengolahan Susu X Di Jawa Barat

A decision support system is a computerized information system, designed to support business and organizational decision-making activities. Agroindustrial Supply Chain Management (Agro-SCM) is the management of the entire set of production, transformation/processing, distribution and marketing activities in agroindustry by which a consumer is supplied with a desired product. Milk Processing Cooperation has a strategic role to support the milk industry development in Indonesia. The purpose of this research is to make a proposal supply chain decision support system of Milk Processing Cooperative X in West Java. The first sub model is Sales and Purchase. The second sub model is a Quality Risk. Third sub model is the Forecasting. The fourth sub model is Transportation. The Fift sub model is Supply Chain Management. Validation and Verification of Decison Support System conducted through case studies with empirical data in Milk Processing Cooperative X in West Java