Evaluation of rice production systems in the province of Guilan by using of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

To evaluate and select the best system of rice production among traditional, semi mechanized and mechanized systems, in Guilan province, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Hence the data obtained in 2012 from 25 agricultural experts and 18 pioneer farmers was used for analysis. For this method of evaluation, five main criteria considered were 1- Agronomic criteria 2- Energy criteria 3 - Economic criteria 4 - Social criteria 5- Ergonomic criteria (pollution and ease of cultivation). This technique determined and ranked the importance of criteria affecting on selection of best rice production system based on attributing relative weights to factors with respect to comments provided in the questionnaires. By using of software (Expert Choice) Analytical Hierarchy Process was done. The result of this survey by AHP techniques showed that Ergonomic criteria had the most and Energy criteria had the least importance for expert and farmer in rice production section. Between rice production systems, the mechanized system to 0.347 weighted average was the best rice production system and semi-mechanized system to 0.329 weighted average and traditional system to 0.324 weighted average was later respectively. However the result of AHP techniques showed that the mechanized system based on Social criteria was weak. It shows that rice production in the province of Guilan need to Authorities try for better management and if possible to establish cultural appropriate to increase the use of mechanized system be considered.