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System modelling at ICRISAT: Increasing the effectiveness of research on agricultural resource management in the semi-arid tropics by combining cropping systems simulation with farming systems research
Project ID
LWR2/1996/049
Inactive project countries
Zimbabwe
Commissioned Organisation
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics, India
Project Leader
Dr A Freeman
Phone:
254 2 741264
Fax:
254 2 747554
Project Budget
$1,550,000.00
Start Date
01/01/1996
Finish Date
31/12/2000
Extension Start Date
01/01/2001
Extension Finish Date
30/04/2001
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Tony Fischer
Related publications
Overview Objectives
The project aimed to increase the effectiveness of research on agricultural resource management in the semi-arid tropics by combining cropping systems simulation with farming systems research. It examined the following issues:
1) management of low and uncertain water supply to reduce risk of crop failure and improve rainfall use efficiency;
2) appropriate technology for maintaining required soil productivity under continuous cropping;
3) economics of investing in soil conservation and soil enrichment in a risky climate.
Project Background and Objectives
The productivity of dryland crop production systems throughout the semi-arid tropics is in decline, due largely to farmer practices that result in mining of soil fertility. ICRISAT's research teams in six agro-ecological regions each identified needs for collaboration in simulation modelling to aid research aimed at improving crop and soil management. The issue in Asia and Africa of declining productivity and the apparent reluctance of farmers to invest to reverse the decline is also a serious issue in the subtropical region of eastern Australia.
The resources of Australia's Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) were made available for this project. APSRU (a joint venture between Queensland through its Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Department of Natural Resources and Mines, CSIRO through its Divisions of Sustainable Ecosystems and Land & Water, and The University of Queensland) has capabilities in cropping systems simulation and experience in semi-arid regions of Australia and Kenya using the APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator) cropping systems model. Modelling enables scientists to make predictions about the response of cropping systems to variable levels of inputs such as water, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and organic matter.
Project Outcomes
During 1996, three staff were appointed to the CARMASAT's Modelling Support Unit (MSU), which supported ICRISAT and scientists in utilising APSIM - a fourth scientist was appointed later. Two experienced agronomists were also contracted to work on millet and pigeonpea models. The MSU's systems modeller and the senior programmer underwent substantial, in-depth training in APSIM in Toowoomba, Queensland.
Major progress was made in developing models of cropping pearl millet and pigeonpea, also the role of soil phosphorus in cropping systems, which gave APSIM the additional simulation capabilities it needed to effectively enhance ICRISAT's systems research in the Indian and African semi-arid tropics.
Collaborations with the client systems projects in Rajasthan (India), Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Niger were developed during 1996. These involved both ICRISAT and APSRU scientists putting the systems in place and providing extensive training. ICRISAT signed an agreement to collaborate with the Indian Centre for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and extend the work to include simulation modelling with a range of Indian institutions. As well, interest in collaboration came from several Indian research organisations and state agricultural universities. An umbrella agreement to cover the software intellectual property (IP) aspects of the ICRISAT-APSRU collaboration was agreed upon and signed in early 1997.
Location
There are no project locations defined for this project.
