I think the problem lies in the perceived value of those actions.
If I as the player RP as a Caravan and go from town to town and city to city, I really fast can make more than 200-300 a day. So if I "outsource" this task to the AI and "automate" it, I expect similar results, what is not happening.
Same thing with Workshops. The closest thing to working in a workshop we have is smithing. Balanced or not, if I use my day in the forge and sell my labor at the market I can make more than 100-150/300 a day. Even if I just go to an area with plenty of hardwood and use my skill to turn 2 hardwood into 3 coal and sell it, I make a good profit.
I don't suggest to nerf smithing, just put caravans and workshop in line with the things a player can do in the same given time.
Another suggestion I have, rather than using stamina for smithing, can we just use time? So we could dedicate a month or so doing something and not getting frustrated with the stamina bar and it has real game consequences. Like forging a blade takes 6-12h so you still can only produce 2 good weapons a day, same as under the stamina system, but you can keep going with the same configuration without having to do it all over after resting.
The big drawback is cleary your time invested in smithing. While you are working in the forge you cannot defend your fiefs or respond to the action happening on the map, which would be in line with the realism of the game.
Thank you for the amazing work so far.