Web-Based Integer Programming Decision Support System for Walnut Processing Planning: The MeliFen Case

• Published in: Agriculture (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 430
• Main Authors: Brunner-Parra, Carlos F., Croquevielle-Rendic, Luis A., Monardes-Concha, Carlos A., Urra-Calfuñir, Bryan A., Avanzini, Elbio L., Correa-Vial, Tomás
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agriculture; Applications programs; Artificial intelligence; Comparative analysis; Corporate image; Costs; Decision making; decision support system; Decision support systems; Design; Exports; Farmers; Information systems; Integer programming; Literature reviews; Mathematical programming; Nuts; Optimization; Production planning; Remote sensing; Supply chains; walnut processing planning; Walnuts; web application; China
• ISSN: 2077-0472; 2077-0472
• DOI: 10.3390/agriculture12030430

Chile is among the largest walnut producers and exporters globally, thanks to a favorable nut growth and production environment. Despite an increasingly competitive market, the literature offers little scientific advice regarding decision support systems (DSSs) for the nut sector. In particular, the literature does not present optimization approaches to support decision-making in walnut supply chain management, especially the processing planning. This work provides a DSS that allows the exporter to plan walnut processing decisions taking into account the quality of the raw material, such as size, color, variety, and external and internal defects, in order to maximize the benefits of the business. To formalize the problem, an integer programming model is proposed. The DSS was implemented via a web application for MeliFen, a walnut exporter located near Santiago, Chile. A comparative analysis of the last two years revealed that MeliFen increased its profit by approximately 9.8% using this tool. We also suggest other uses that this DSS provides, besides profit maximization.