Truck allocation planning for cost reduction of mechanical sugarcane harvesting in Thailand: an application of multi-objective optimization

In Thailand, the chopper-type mechanical sugarcane harvester is widespread. This type of harvester usually operates with some trucks. When sufficient numbers of trucks are available, the chopper can carry out continuous harvest operation. However, there are not enough trucks in the surveyed region to cover the transportation needs. Hence, effective allocation planning of trucks is vital. By determining the optimum number of trucks needed for the sugarcane fields, it is possible to make efficient use of the chopper.