Decision support systems for small scale agroindustrial investment promotion in rural areas

A series of decision support systems (DSSs), developed as part of a government program to promote the implementation of small scale agroindustrial projects in rural areas, is described. The DSSs constitute an alternative to the use of printed agroindustrial profiles to disseminate information on technical and economic aspects of such projects. Users have access to information on the potential projects and can evaluate their feasibility considering their own data and relevant assumptions. Information is presented in hypertext and graphical formats, and in conventional data tables. The hypertext files provide descriptions concerning the technological processes, related legislation and potential markets, while graphical images present plant floor plans and 3-D views of facilities and equipment lay-out. Data are available on several items, including technical coefficients, equipment costs, raw material and other input costs, interest rates, other loan conditions, and product mixes and prices. They can be easily changed by the user, so as to better reflect specific conditions. Economic-engineering models allow the computation of standard financial evaluation indicators. Sensitivity analysis is also performed. Results can be either displayed on screen, saved or printed. 15 systems have been developed, covering a wide array of agroindustrial projects. Usability tests were performed with a sample of potential users. Results were extremely favorable, confirming the initial hypothesis of the potential of the proposed approach as an effective means to promote agroindustrial investments.