Application of Fuzzy AHP to Identify and Prioritizethe Challenges of Resistive Economics in Iran's Agricultural Sector

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the challenges of resistant economics in Iran's agricultural sector. The study used a survey method with a pairwise comparison questionnaire as the main instrument. Because this study was based on the opinions of experts, 40 experts and senior managers of the Jihad Agricultural Organization of the province were studied. The analysis process in this research was a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). By exploratory method, the most important criteria and sub‐criteria and challenges of resistive economics were identified. The weight of each criterion was calculated after performing pairwise comparisons in fuzzy hierarchical analysis software and was determined in the following order: economic flexibility (N) with a weight of 0.558, productivity promotion (T) with a weight of 0.320, and realizing dynamic growth (S) with a weight of 0.122. After pairwise comparison of all challenges of implementing re‐sistive economics based on sub‐criteria, the results were combined, and the final weight and priority of each challenge were identified. In order of priority, the challenges were: an insecure economic environment to attract domestic and foreign investment (weight = 0.265), low productivity of manpower and capital in agriculture with a weight of 0.198, lack of a coherent marketing and marketing system (weight = 0.132), extensive import versus limited export of products with a (weight = 0.132), low efficiency of agricultural production units (weight = 0.116), high waste of agricultural products (weight = 0.093), and land use change related to agriculture (weight = 0.064).