A comprehensive look to the universal self-propelled rice transplanters using Analytic Hierarchy Process (A case of developing country)

Abstract

The main purpose of this study at the first phase was to rank all rice transplanters used in Guilan Province by relevant experts in the area from technical, social, and economic aspects. After the most appropriate type was identified, the technical skillfulness of operators to use this specific type was assessed in the second phase. To this end, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied and the opinions of experts for exploring the most appropriate rice transplanter based on ergonomics, economic advantage, reliability, field capacity, ease of use, ease of repairs and access to spare parts, compatibility with plot conditions, planting density range,  compatibility with different soil conditions and planting quality perspective was assessed. To collect data, a pairwise questionnaire and face to face interview were used. The statistical sample in this study was 15 experts in the field of agricultural machinery. Among the studied indices, the ease of repairs and access to spare parts criteria had the highest importance score (0.217) in determining the most appropriate rice transplanter, followed by reliability and ergonomics (0.169 and 0.104, respectively). Overall, 4-rowed Dai Dong transplanter (0.194) was the first choice from experts’ perspectives. Kubota 4-rowed and 6-rowed Dai Dong mounted respectively (0.167 and 0.154 respectively) were ranked at second and third places. In addition, 4-rowed Tung Yang ranked at last place. Respondents’ knowledge to apply 4-rowed Dai Dong transplanter was assessed and they were classified into skillful and semi-skillful groups and the majority of respondents (51.8 %) were in the semi-skillful groups. The findings, not only aid in selecting the most appropriate rice transplanter for planning in this area, it is imperative to improve the level of mechanization, the process, and the prioritization of the technical skills of the users.