A Novel Direct Weighted Deviation (DWD) Method for Agricultural Enterprise Selection: A Case Study of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu

Year : 2026 | Volume : 04 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1 7
    By

    V. Sathiya,

  • S. Mahalakshmi,

  • S. Ramabalan,

  • N. Godwin Raja Ebenezer,

  1. Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Selvam College of Technology, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Professor, Department of Information Technology, Selvam College of Technology, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Selvam College of Technology, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engg., MAM College of Engineering, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The study proposes a novel Direct Weighted Deviation (DWD) method for Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) by eliminating normalization, distance metrics, and pairwise comparisons. DWD is thereafter used to evaluate and select ten rainfed agricultural enterprises against ten generic and context-specific viability criteria in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, a water-scarce region in India. Subsequently, other methods (AHP, SAW, WPM, and TOPSIS) are used to obtain a comparative second opinion and validate the outcomes of the proposed method. Against the backdrop of timely reinforced sustainability and scalability considerations, DWD identifies Goat Rearing Enterprise as the top alternative, in close competition with Mango Cultivation and Dairy. The hybrid AHP-TOPSIS method, due to bias introduced by an unusually high subjective income-dependent criterion weight computed using AHP, erroneously ranks Layer Poultry first. A subsequent sensitivity analysis quantified the levels of bias, robustness, and stability of the three methods discussed. Sensitivity analysis of the alternatives and criteria was also performed. The results suggested that the DWD method is on par with the AHP-TOPSIS method but scores over the other two in all counts. Most significant advantage of DWD over the AHP-TOPSIS method is seen in its outperformance of the layer poultry enterprise in terms of livelihood security and water conservation potential, which are pertinent objectives in any semi-arid agricultural system.

Keywords: Novel MCDM method, multi-criteria decision making, sustainable agriculture, direct weighted deviation, sensitivity analysis, water-scarce agriculture, Tamil Nadu

[This article belongs to International Journal of Industrial and Product Design Engineering ]

How to cite this article:
V. Sathiya, S. Mahalakshmi, S. Ramabalan, N. Godwin Raja Ebenezer. A Novel Direct Weighted Deviation (DWD) Method for Agricultural Enterprise Selection: A Case Study of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. International Journal of Industrial and Product Design Engineering. 2026; 04(01):1-7.
How to cite this URL:
V. Sathiya, S. Mahalakshmi, S. Ramabalan, N. Godwin Raja Ebenezer. A Novel Direct Weighted Deviation (DWD) Method for Agricultural Enterprise Selection: A Case Study of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. International Journal of Industrial and Product Design Engineering. 2026; 04(01):1-7. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijipde/article=2026/view=239639


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 04
Issue 01
Received 03/02/2026
Accepted 26/02/2026
Published 15/03/2026
Publication Time 40 Days
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