Developing Strategy for Rice Milling Unit Selection Process Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method: A Case of Agroindustry in Indonesia

Abstract

In this research area, the appropriate type of Rice Milling Unit (RMU) as a post harvest handling machine and direction of RMU development program were still problem faced by government especially for agroindustrial development program. The purpose of this research was to develop appropriate strategy in RMU selection process for the research area based on economic, social, technology, machinery design and potential of research area. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to provide strategy in RMU selection process. Some criteria used in this research were several aspects such as economics (purchasing price, operational cost, and milling fee), social (number of worker and operator availability), technology (quality of milling and ease technology and access), material design (size, milling capacity, and ergonomic), and also natural potential (harvesting area, plantation pattern). All aspect above were implemented in questionnaire as a tool in survey method. Questionnaire was addressed to 25 experts from groups such as agricultural department, logistic unit, university, rice-milling operator and farmers. Pair wise comparison matrix was implemented in data analysis of this research. Result showed that strong recommended for this research area was large scale rice milling unit. The complete hierarchy and priority are explained detail in this paper.