APPLICATION OF HEURISTIC METHODS FOR EFFICIENT CATTLE MARKET DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

Abstract

This study investigates the application of heuristic optimization techniques to the 
classical transportation problem within the context of cattle distribution logistics in 
Niger State, Nigeria. Heuristic methods, which are widely employed for solving 
computationally intractable or large-scale optimization problems, provide efficient, 
intuitive, and near-optimal solutions by exploiting the structural properties of the 
problem. Their computational efficiency and simplicity make them particularly suitable 
for real-world logistics systems characterized by multiple supply and demand nodes. The 
research focuses on optimizing the distribution of cattle from seven major markets—
Bangi, Beji, Ibeto, Kawon-Kontagora, Kuta, Mariga, and Tungar-Malam—to selected 
demand centers in Southwestern Nigeria, including Akure, Ibadan, Ilorin, Ijebu-Ode, 
Lagos, and Oshogbo. The primary objective is to minimize total transportation cost while 
satisfying supply and demand constraints across the network. An initial basic feasible 
solution (IBFS) was obtained using a heuristic approach, yielding a total transportation 
cost of ₦49,992,919.16. To evaluate optimality, the solution was tested using the 
Modified Distribution Method (MODI/MDK), which indicated that the heuristic-derived 
solution was not optimal. Consequently, further optimization was performed using the 
solver tool in Microsoft Excel Solver, which generated an improved optimal solution with 
a reduced transportation cost of ₦46,321,081.96. The results demonstrate the 
effectiveness of heuristic methods in generating rapid and reasonably efficient initial 
solutions, while highlighting the importance of integrating exact optimization techniques 
for achieving global optimality in livestock transportation planning systems.