Assessment and Comparison of Sustainable Agriculture Approach Using a Combination of AHP and TOPSIS

Abstract

Over the last decade, pressure on natural resources has increased due to population growth and the need for food security especially in developing countries. Excessive use of productive inputs increases the importance of sustainable agriculture to enhance the performance and reduce the environmental degradation. The present study was established on the basic model of agricultural sustainability as a consideration of three criteria including environmental, social and economic. Seventeen sub-indicators of sustainability were analyzed for the Ardebil province. According to the questionnaires and statistical yearbooks of Ardebil Agricultural Jihad Organization and Regional Water Authority the required data were collected in 1394. Determination of Value-Weighted index was accomplished using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The relative importance of each sub-options (agricultural areas) were also categorized using TOPSIS technique. The results demonstrated that the environmental index with 0.443 relative weights had the highest impact and social criteria with 0.169 relative weights had the lowest effect on agricultural sustainability. The results indicated that Germi with 0.624 final values was the most suitable area and Sarein with 0.395 was the most inappropriate area from the aspect of agriculture sustainability.