The use of discriminant analysis to validate a methodology for classifying farms based on a combinatorial algorithm

• Published in: Computers and electronics in agriculture 2009-05, Vol.66 (2), p.113-120
• Main Authors: Riveiro-Valiño, J.A., Álvarez-López, C.J., Marey-Pérez, M. Fco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural development. Rural area planning; Agricultural Production Planning; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Combinatorial method; combinatorial methods; dairy farming; decision making; decision support systems; Discriminant analysis; farm management; farm size; Farm types; farm typology; farms; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; geographical variation; mathematical models; model validation; Rural development; statistical analysis
• ISSN: 0168-1699; 1872-7107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compag.2008.12.001

Since 2002, the Galician Administration (NW Spain) has been working in the development of a decision support system for Agricultural Production Planning. To this end, an initial decision tool, Gestop ®, was developed. However, the tool had a number of limitations for practical use because of the lack of differentiated data about the real situation of farms. With a view to improving the initial tool, a combinatorial method (CM) was developed. Such a combinatorial method used official census data to classify farms based on the different production processes, sizes and geographical locations of farms, among other factors. The combinatorial method proved very useful as a source of differentiated data for the decision support system. Yet, validating the results using robust statistical methods was considered essential in order to guarantee the suitability of the model for use. This paper uses discriminant analysis (DA) techniques to validate the types of dairy farms obtained from the combinatorial method for Galicia. Results clearly validate the combinatorial method and its use as a data source for decision support systems in Agricultural Production Planning.