Design and Construction
S. K. Busse; T. K. Hurisa; E. A. Esleman
Abstract
Efficient control of agricultural machinery is crucial in sugar plants for maintaining product quality, managing operational costs, and improving productivity. The Ethiopian sugar industry is vital to the country's economy; however, issues with machinery management can lead to higher maintenance costs ...
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Efficient control of agricultural machinery is crucial in sugar plants for maintaining product quality, managing operational costs, and improving productivity. The Ethiopian sugar industry is vital to the country's economy; however, issues with machinery management can lead to higher maintenance costs and poor operational efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the agricultural machinery management system at the Arjo Diddessa sugar factory and optimize operational costs. Between 2016 and 2022, data were collected through surveys, interviews, and observations. To improve machinery running costs, a linear programming model was studied using Linear Interactive and Discrete Optimizer )LINDO( software. The findings revealed that 49% of non-operational machinery required minor repair, whereas 14% required disposal. The anticipated work rate exceeded the actual rate by 35.33%. Among the tasks, uprooting exhibited the smallest variance at 5.73%, while inter-row cultivation displayed the greatest discrepancy at 67.21%. Initial repair expenses were minimal but increased as the equipment aged. The optimization model achieved a maximum reduction of 10.60% in operational costs during 2021-22, highlighting the importance of accurate machinery work rate estimation and performance analysis for enhancing efficiency. The study identified critical inefficiencies in machinery management and emphasized the need for robust maintenance systems and strategic replacement plans for aging equipment. Optimizing operational efficiency is essential for improving productivity and reducing costs in sugar production processes.
