Research on World Agricultural Economy

Strategic Site Selection for Agricultural Innovation: Utilizing AHP to Enhance Rural Development in Colombia's Cabuya Industry

Santiago A. Roa-Ortiz

Agrosavia-Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano

Favio Cala-Vitery

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá D.C. 111321, Colombia.  

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v7i1.2304

Received: 12 June 2025; Published: 15 December 2025

Abstract

The strategic deployment of agricultural technologies is essential for promoting rural development in contexts marked by inequality, such as Colombia. This study examines the site selection of a prototype machine for extracting fiber, juice, and bagasse from giant cabuya (Furcraea foetida), a crop with underutilized potential for generating economic and environmental benefits. To address this challenge, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied as a multicriteria decision-making framework that integrates infrastructure, social capital, and economic outlook. The methodology combined hierarchical modeling with expert assessments gathered through workshops and interviews with producers, associations, and local stakeholders in four major cabuya-producing regions. A total of 36 paired comparison matrices were constructed to evaluate alternatives, ensuring validity through consistency ratios below established thresholds. Results indicate that La Guajira is the most suitable location for deploying the prototype, followed by Antioquia, Nariño, and Santander. These findings highlight the advantages of using multidimensional criteria to inform decisions, moving beyond narrow productivity-based or politically influenced approaches. This study contributes to agricultural innovation and policy design by showing how AHP supports transparent, participatory, and evidence-based allocation of resources. The model not only improves governance and reduces biases but also provides a replicable tool for aligning technological investments with local socio-economic capacities, thereby fostering sustainable and inclusive rural development.

Keywords: Multicriteria Decision‑Making; Agricultural Technology; Furcraea foetida; R&D Technology Transfer

References