Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Rice Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.
2 Rice Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Keywords
Main Subjects
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population and plays a vital role in global food security. In Iran, the northern provinces, particularly Guilan, are central to rice production, contributing significantly to the national yield. However, pests, diseases, and weeds cause substantial annual losses, with improper pesticide use worsening environmental and health risks. Choosing a proper sprayer is crucial for optimizing pesticide application, reducing costs, and minimizing ecological damage. Given the variety of sprayers used in rice paddies, a comprehensive evaluation is needed. This study aims to identify and prioritize the criteria for selecting the most suitable sprayer in Guilan using the analytic hierarchy process. By filling existing research gaps, this work provides practical insights to assist farmers in making informed decisions, ultimately improving both productivity and sustainability.
This study utilized a multi-criteria decision-making approach based on the analytic hierarchy process to identify the most suitable sprayer for rice paddies in Guilan. Five types of sprayers; manual backpack, battery-powered backpack, motorized backpack with lance, atomizer and wheelbarrow, were evaluated against nine criteria: include effectiveness, spray uniformity, ease of use and ergonomics, operating costs, spraying volume, drift, energy consumption, field capacity, and environmental impacts. These criteria were established through a comprehensive literature review and consultations with experts and farmers. The analytic hierarchy process framework comprised three hierarchical levels: goal, criteria, and alternatives. Questionnaires were administered to 25 experts and 20 farmers to perform pairwise comparisons. Criteria weights and alternative priorities were calculated using the eigenvector method in Expert Choice software, with consistency ratios verified to ensure reliability. Data collection occurred during the 2024-2025 agricultural year and included measurements of solution consumption, drift, effective capacity, spray quality, and pest control effectiveness. Additionally, a cost analysis was performed based on a 10-year cash flow projection. All procedures were thoroughly documented to guarantee replicability, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.
In this study, the criteria for selecting the most suitable sprayer for rice paddies in Guilan were pairwise compared and weighted using the analytic hierarchy process. Effectiveness was identified as the most important criterion with a weight of 0.190, while energy consumption was the least important with a weight of 0.055. The overall consistency ratio of 0.03 indicated high consistency and reliability of the judgments.
Pairwise comparisons of sprayer alternatives against each criterion showed that the battery-powered backpack sprayer ranked the highest in operational costs (weight = 0.397), ease of use and ergonomics (0.361), and environmental impact (0.394), whereas the wheelbarrow sprayer scored lowest in these criteria. The atomizer sprayer scored the highest in field capacity (0.324), pesticide solution consumption (0.109), spray uniformity (0.383), drift (0.341), effectiveness (0.417), and energy consumption (0.396). All inconsistency ratios for pairwise comparisons were below 0.10, confirming the stability and validity of the results.
Head-to-head comparisons revealed that the atomizer outperformed other sprayers in most criteria except environmental impacts, where the battery-powered sprayer showed superiority. Integrating criteria weights and alternatives, the atomizer emerged as the most suitable sprayer for rice paddies in Guilan, while the manual sprayer ranked lowest. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that effectiveness was the most influential criterion in sprayer selection, followed by spray uniformity, ease of use and ergonomics, field capacity, and other factors.
This study utilized the the analytic hierarchy process to identify the optimal sprayer for rice paddies in Guilan province. The findings revealed that effectiveness, with a weight of 0.190, was the most critical criterion, followed by spray uniformity and ease of use and ergonomics. Energy consumption was deemed the least important criterion, with a weight of 0.055. Among the evaluated alternatives, the atomizer sprayer emerged as the most efficient and suitable option. The battery-powered sprayer ranked second and was recommended as a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative due to its low operating costs and minimal environmental impact. Conversely, the widely used manual sprayer demonstrated the weakest performance across most criteria and ranked the lowest. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the final ranking was most sensitive to the changes in the effectiveness criterion’s weight, underscoring its vital role in the decision-making process. These results provide valuable insights for farmers and agricultural experts seeking to enhance pest control efficiency in the rice fields of Guilan.
All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization of the article and writing of the original and subsequent drafts.
Data available on request from the authors.
The authors would like to thank all participants of the present study.
The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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