Abstract

This article presents a practical introduction to lean thinking for corn and soybean farmers. Lean is a proven management approach that helps reduce waste, organize workspaces and improve the use of time, tools, and materials. Although it began in manufacturing, lean has been successfully adapted to agriculture through simple, low-cost tools that focus on improving everyday tasks.

The guide explains six key lean tools — 5S, Kanban, Visual Controls, TPM, Standardization, and Kaizen — with real farm examples and step-by-step recommendations. It also offers advice on how to get started, involve workers and measure improvements using basic indicators.

Lean thinking doesn’t require complex systems or big investments. It starts with small changes that make work easier, safer and more efficient week by week, season by season.

Keywords

lean thinking, row crops, agriculture, efficiency, value-added

Date of this Version

12-2025

DOI

10.5703/1288284318220

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