Lean manufacturing in agriculture: benefits, obstacles, and opportunities

Abstract

Lean manufacturing (LM) is a management philosophy focused on reducing waste while enhancing system productivity. Although its advancements have been more pronounced in the manufacturing sector, the benefits that LM are increasingly being recognized in other areas, including agriculture. Research on the application of LM in agriculture and livestock farming remains limited but has been gaining traction in recent years, as evidenced by the findings of this study. To contribute to the exploration of this emerging field, this article aims to map the current research landscape through a systematic literature review, supplemented by a content analysis. The SLR presented in this study had three main objectives: to identify which LM tools and techniques are most used in rural production, their benefits, and the elements that are central to their successful implementation. The research identified value stream mapping as the most widely used tool in rural production. The primary benefits observed were waste reduction and increased farm revenue. Successful implementation of LM in this context requires a five-step process, which is detailed in the paper.