Agricultural systems modelling workshop

Training researchers in the Pacific Islands in crop production system modelling. This enables better understanding of how changes in climate, agronomic and soil nutrient management practices impact agricultural productivity and identification of effective strategies for climate change adaptation.

Why train researchers in agricultural systems modelling?

In the Pacific Islands, where agriculture faces significant risks from climate change such as sea level rise, severe weather, and heat waves, modelling crop production systems offers a valuable tool for researchers.

Agricultural systems modelling can assess current agricultural systems under existing climatic conditions and project these systems into future climate scenarios. By simulating ‘what-if’ scenarios, researchers can evaluate the potential effectiveness of multiple adaptation strategies.

This modelling helps to identify the best practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture in the region, without relying solely on field experiences.

Our training workshops

We provided agricultural systems modelling training for researchers based in the Pacific Islands. The aim of this training was to up-skill researchers in cropping system modelling.

This training enabled participants to gain improved understanding of how changes in climate, agronomic and soil nutrient management practices affect agricultural productivity as well as identification of effective strategies for climate change adaptation.

Who can benefit

Researchers in the Pacific Islands could benefit from learning new skills in agricultural production systems modelling that could help them better understand their farming systems.

Policymakers could benefit from improved insights into the challenges and opportunities in agriculture and a better understanding of the adaptation strategies that could help farmers be more resilient to climate change.

Farmers could benefit from the knowledge of adaption strategies likely to make their farms more resilient to climate change.

Our approach

This training used the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), a tool for integrating and simulating crops, soil, climate and local farming practices. This systems approach, combining crop, soil, climate, and agronomic practices, aims to improve crop productivity and sustainability, which is crucial for developing climate-resilient agriculture in the region.