Multicriteria aid for agricultural decisions using preference relations: Methodology and application

A methodology is presented for aiding agricultural decisions using multiattribute value models with interval numbers. The evaluation procedures are based on values and weights elicitation. The main features are (I) introducing interval numbers to deal with imprecision and uncertainty, (2) utilizing swing weights to properly treat the relationship between weights and the ranges of scales, and (3) recognizing values and alternatives structuring as important steps, To demonstrate usefulness of the methodology, labor-saving vegetable production systems under development, in which a self-propelled harvester is introduced and thinning is eliminated, are compared with the conventional system at farm level by, the criteria of profitability and farmwork characteristics. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.