Optimization of sugarcane supply system for improved productivity by GIS and LP approach : a case study in Buriram Province, Thailand | |
| Author | Jutanut Prechavuttipong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-06-07 |
| Subject(s) | Sugarcane--Thailand--Buriram Geographic information systems--Thailand--Buriram |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AE-06-07 |
| Abstract | Sugarcane is one of the most important economic crops of the world. The productivity of sugarcane cultivation varies from country-to-country or region-to-region based on various factors. The productivity can be significantly improved by efficient arrangement of process activities such as planting, loading, harvesting, and transportation. A simulation study was conducted for optimizing the said activities using Geographic Information System (GIS) combined with Transportation Module of the Operations Research (OR) technique. The existing system was analyzed and suitable modifications were proposed. Out of the 5 farm classifications, marginal farms (less than I ha) was analyzed for optimum scheduling and transportation as majority of those farms relied on external transportation and found to be earning 20% less income due to the inefficiencies and sugar losses due to delays. The transportation system for marginal farms could be optimized by suitably locating more collection centers under classified farming systems within the 50 km radius from the factory. The GIS maps were used to identify collection center locations for farmlands considering 6 suitability factors;- land use, road, existing collection centers, cane farm classification and the distance from sugar factory. The OR transportation model was used to simulate the minimum transportation cost. The performance of the existing and proposed systems were compared based on 4 factors; total cost, total shortest distance, time, and fuel saving. The proposed system increased collection centers from 7 to 16 which could approximately reduce the total transportation cost of 581 marginal farms (less 1 ha and without own transportation) by 2,315,648 baht (3986 baht/farm), total transportation distance by 18,012 km (31 km/farm) transportation time by 3,687 hrs (average 6.35 hrs/farm or 25 min/trip) and fuel by 7,025 liters (12.09 liters/farm) |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-06-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Jayasuriya, H. P.W.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M. ;Athapol Noomhorm ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government (RTG) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |