As the world embrace new technology trends such as industrial revolution 5. 0 (IR5) and stronger emphasis on sustainability development, some traditional sectors such as agricultural are facing growing challenges to enhance productivity while addressing sustainability concerns. In this work, a novel hybrid decision-making methodology has been developed. The new method combines mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and pinch analysis to aid the selection of sustainable and cost-effective technologies. The MILP model is useful in optimising multi-criteria decision-making, while the graphical pinch analysis tool of composite curves is useful in visualizing and communicating results effectively. Hence, the integration of these tools offers a systematic and transparent approach to selecting sustainable technologies, enabling decision-makers to navigate complex trade-offs effectively. The methodology was demonstrated through a hypothetical example and an agricultural case study. For the latter, five options of pesticide application technologies for oil palm plantations were evaluated, i. e. grid-powered drones, gasoline-powered drones, solar-powered drones, spray tractors, and knapsack sprayers. Key criteria evaluated included capital expenditure, operational savings, carbon footprint, and pesticide exposure time. The hybrid approach identified gasoline-powered drones as the optimal solution, offering the best balance across criteria, including a capital investment of 64, 800, operational savings of 22, 032, a carbon footprint of 271 kg CO2/day, and pesticide exposure time of 720 h/year. This study provides a replicable framework for systematic technology selection, supporting the transition toward IR5 by integrating advanced technologies with sustainability goals.
Akmal et al. (Tue,) studied this question.