Investigating the Performance of Agricultural Mechanization Service Cooperatives in Gilan Province Using a Combined Delphi-AHP-SWOT Method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• M. Bamdad
• M. Zangeneh
• S. H. Peyman

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jam.2024.89685.1280

Abstract

Introduction
The cooperative system for agricultural mechanization services holds significant potential to boost agricultural production. Key benefits include providing services during crop cultivation to reduce labor demands, delivering centralized and specialized services to lower production costs, facilitating the adoption of new technologies, and improving productivity in agricultural processes and supply chains. However, in Gilan Province, Iran, over 198 of the 260 registered mechanization service cooperatives, approximately 76%, are currently inactive. This significant decline highlights an urgent need to assess the performance of the mechanization service system to ensure its sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main challenges underlying the inactivity of these cooperatives in Gilan Province.
Materials and Methods
This study aims to evaluate the performance of mechanization service cooperatives in Gilan Province. To achieve this objective, a combined methodology incorporating Delphi methods, hierarchical analysis process, and the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was employed. Initially, factors influencing the performance of agricultural service cooperatives were identified through a review of existing literature concerning the performance pathology of agricultural cooperatives, as well as the specific factors impacting mechanization cooperatives and the associated challenges they face. The Delphi method was utilized to align the identified factors with the operational conditions of agricultural mechanization service cooperatives in Gilan Province. The Delphi process was conducted over three rounds, culminating in the identification and prioritization of the primary factors. Subsequently, the SWOT matrix was applied to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the mechanization service cooperatives, with input from a panel of experts for ranking purposes. Ultimately, strategies to address the performance challenges were developed based on the SWOT results and prioritized using AHP.
Results and Discussion
The findings of this research indicate that the lack of capital in the cooperative company, coupled with financial and credit difficulties, insufficient tools and equipment needed for generating income for members, stringent bank policies regarding the provision of financial aid, and the presence of discrepancies in the selection of cooperative members constitute the primary obstacles faced by these companies. The most important recommended strategies are as follows: Leverage internal investment from cooperative members. Attract capital from entrepreneurs. Organize tours to visit successful cooperatives for information exchange and learning. Reduce service fees. Increase access to financial assistance. Lower guarantee requirements for newly established cooperatives and entrepreneurs seeking financial support
Conclusion
In this study, a comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted to identify the challenges affecting cooperative performance. These challenges were categorized into six main groups: financial, operational, organizational, structural, social, and environmental. The Delphi method, involving a panel of nine field experts, was used to evaluate these issues. Additionally, a SWOT analysis, based on previous research, was carried out to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to cooperatives. To determine the relative importance of each challenge, a hierarchical analysis was performed to rank them accordingly.
The results revealed that the most pressing challenges are primarily financial or have a significant financial impact on cooperative operations. Key issues include strict bank loan requirements, internal financial and credit difficulties, limited capital resources, and a lack of necessary tools and equipment to generate income for members. Moreover, the member selection process was identified as a critical concern, as it can lead to reduced motivation and inadequate fulfillment of responsibilities among cooperative members.

Keywords

• Cooperative members
• Delphi
• Facilities
• Mechanization services
• Troubleshooting

Main Subjects

• Agricultural systems engineering (greenhouse, fish farming, mushroom production)

©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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