A discrete event simulation model for harvest operations under stochastic conditions

This study presents an application of stochastic discrete-event simulation modelling for harvesting, transportation and storage activities of one grain and oilseed agricultural cooperative. Gathering the harvest represents an important stage for both agricultural cooperatives and individual farmers, that requires an efficient management in order to ensure a high production quality and yield. For the purpose to take into account the intricacy and the dynamic behaviour of the studied system, the model proposed here, considers various inherent heterogeneous parameters, such as: daily meteorological uncertainty, loss queuing networks, farmers contractual delivery policies, etc. This paper applies discrete and stochastic simulation techniques in order to analyse and evaluate the performance of the cooperative supply chain system. Moreover, it enables to investigate alternative configurations and strategies of its operations for an eventual supply chain redesign.