Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision-Making for Ranking Intercrop in Rubber Plantations under Social, Economic, and Environmental Criteria

Abstract

Rubber price instability causes great economic problems for rubber plantation in Thailand. Intercropping is an alternative way for rubber farmers in problem-solving. In this paper, we established decision-making system for plant selection in rubber fields under social, economic, and environment criteria with the use of fuzzy multicriteria decision-making (FMCDM) to rank plant options. Firstly, we modified the traditional FMCDM by defuzzification with norm centroid and developed the fuzzifier maps the norm centroid to triangular fuzzy number (TFN). According to fuzzification, the final rating evaluation of plant options are determined by total utility values. Finally, ranking of the plant options is obtained. Our modifications provided an alternative decision-making process with softer computational capability compared with the traditional method. In addition to soft computing, data visualization and analysis of the possibility in each factors could be investigated. This decision-making system was implemented in Phang-Nga Province, Thailand. Its outputs assisted the rubber farmer in selecting suitable plants for cultivation. Pros and cons of each plant options and area-based approaches were easily seen by data visualizations. This decision-making system provided beneficial information which support precision developments for rubber farmer and government agencies.