ASSESSING SUSTAINABILITY IN SMALL-SCALE DAIRY ENTREPRENEURSHIP USING AHP ANALYSIS: A MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION APPROACH

Abstract

Small-scale dairy farming plays a crucial role in rural economies, but its sustainability is challenged by economic, environmental, and regulatory factors. This study applies the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the sustainability of three dairy farming models—Traditional, Semi-Intensive, and Sustainable Dairy Farming—based on five key criteria: economic viability, environmental impact, social contribution, technological adoption, and regulatory compliance. Expert opinions and pairwise comparisons were used to assign weights to these criteria, and the alternatives were ranked accordingly. The findings reveal that Sustainable Dairy Farming is the most viable approach, excelling in economic returns, environmental responsibility, and regulatory adherence, though it requires higher initial investments. Semi-Intensive Dairy Farming serves as a transitional model, offering moderate sustainability with room for improvement in environmental and technological aspects. Traditional Dairy Farming, while cost-effective, ranks lowest due to inefficiencies and regulatory non-compliance. The study highlights the need for financial support, training programs, and policy interventions to facilitate the transition toward sustainable dairy farming practices. The AHP model provides a structured decision-making framework to assist farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in enhancing the sustainability of small-scale dairy entrepreneurship.