Appraisal of Agricultural Development Level in the Western Iran, Using Multi-Criteria Decision Techniques

Recognition and understanding of existing differences between regions potential for development levels in the agricultural sector are necessary for planning and appropriate decision making. The main purpose of study was to measure the level of agriculture development in the Western provinces of Iran (Hamedan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Lorestan and Ilam) by using the Multi-Criteria Decision Technique. For this purpose, 33 different indicators in three groups of socio-structural, technological and services – infrastructure were defined .Their weights were determined by using the Entropy method. Then the development level of agricultural sector was determined by using TOPSIS, SAW and numerical taxonomy techniques and for final ranking agricultural development levels of provinces, the results of all three techniques were merged by using mean scores, Copland and Borda methods. Final results indicated the Hamedan and Kermanshah provinces have the highest level of agricultural development level and Lorestan, Ilam and Kurdistan provinces had lower level of development.