Rainfall risk and "response farming": Using rainfall analysis, simulation modeling and GIS to improve agricultural decisions in Mali
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TR Number
Date
2002
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Watkinsville, GA: SANREM CRSP
Abstract
In this study, analyses of historical rainfall records are combined with GIS and biophysical modeling of soil water balance and crop production to predict performance of millet cultivars in Mali. The research improves previous efforts to apply rainy season predictions to agricultural decisions in the Sahel region, by integrating soils and crops information and by using crop simulation modeling. For two data sets defined by (early or late) rainfall onset date, the simulated crop yields, average water stress, and overall stress indices relative to yield potential have been computed and mapped. Research findings indicate that probability analysis and simulation modeling can be used to minimize agro-climatic risk.
Description
Keywords
Rainfed agriculture, Food security, Modeling, Dryland farming, Semiarid zones, Rainfall variability, Fertilization, Soil types, Nitrogen, Crop yields, Water stress, Risk management, Cropsyst, Millet, Soil-water balance, Response farming, Farmer agroclimatic decision support, Farm/Enterprise Scale Field Scale
Citation
SANREM CRSP Research Brief 2002 No. 12