Implementing the Analytic Hierarchy Process to Select the Most Promising Wild Berries from Botosani County

This paper implements the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making methodology, in the selection of the most promising wild berries in Botosani County. The selected wild berries were: Rubus idaeus, Cornus mas, Sambucus nigra, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus monogyna, Sorbus torminalis, Prunus avium and Pyrus pyraster. First, based on the criteria taken into consideration, it was established a hierarchical structure of the eight selected wild berries and subsequently, it was tested using Expert Choice software. The ranked list indicates that the higher scores were obtained by wild cherry and red raspberry, while the lower ones were obtained by blackthorn and European cornel. In Botosani County the wild berries sector is characterized by great potential and diversity, but this sector is not capitalized on the real potential. The analysis of the potential of Botosani County with regard to the most important wild berries for collection and capitalization can help improve in the future the management strategies of these resources.