Use of High Science Tools in Integrated Watershed Management. Proceedings of the National Symposium, 1–2 Feb 2010

Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT) are characterized by highly variable rainfall, poor soils, low yields and poor developmental infrastructure. Watershed management is now an accepted strategy for development of rainfed agriculture in these areas. New science tools like remote sensing, geographical information systems (GIS), water balance, simulation modeling, information and communication technology (ICT) are currently being used very widely in irrigated and well-endowed areas. Importance of these tools in the SAT areas is now well understood and recognized. Application of new science tools in rain-fed agriculture opens up new vistas for development through integrated watershed management programs (IWMP). ICRISAT in partnership with national agricultural research systems and advanced research institutes in Asia has applied new science tools for enhancing the productivity of rain-fed systems in the SAT through science-led development

Use of High Science Tools in Integrated Watershed Management

Not AvailableSemi-Arid Tropics (SAT) are characterized by highly variable rainfall, poor soils, low yields and poor developmental infrastructure. Watershed management is now an accepted strategy for development of rainfed agriculture in these areas. New science tools like remote sensing, geographical information systems (GIS), water balance, simulation modeling, information and communication technology (ICT) are currently being used very widely in irrigated and well-endowed areas. Importance of these tools in the SAT areas is now well understood and recognized. Application of new science tools in rain-fed agriculture opens up new vistas for development through integrated watershed management programs (IWMP). ICRISAT in partnership with national agricultural research systems and advanced research institutes in Asia has applied new science tools for enhancing the productivity of rain-fed systems in the SAT through science-led development. The remarkable developments in space technology currently offers satellites, which provide better spatial and spectral resolutions, more frequent revisits, stereo viewing and on board recording capabilities. High spatial and temporal resolution satellite data could be effectively used for watershed management and monitoring activities at land ownership level. Techniques are also successfully used for preparing detailed thematic maps, watershed development plans and continuous monitoring of the natural resources in rain-fed areas. Synergy of GIS and Web Technology allows access to dynamic geospatial watershed information without burdening the users with complicated and expensive software. Use of smart sensor network along with GIS, RS, simulation modeling and ICT opens up new opportunities for developing intelligent watershed management information systems. These tools can help in improving the rural livelihoods and contribute substantially to meet the millennium development goals of halving the number of hungry people by 2015 and achieving food security through enhanced use efficiency of scarce natural resorces such as land and water in the tropical countries.Not Availabl

THE CONTRIBUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES TO AGRICULTURAL LAND VALUES: HEDONIC MODELLING USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS DATA

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data are used in a hedonic model to measure the impact of recreational and scenic amenities on agricultural land values. Results indicate agricultural land values are determined by environmental amenities as well as production attributes. Significant amenity variables included scenic view, elk habitat and fishery productivity.Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use,

TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL WATER POLICY MODEL FOR THE TEXAS HIGH PLAINS

A 19 county, 50-year dynamic economic optimization model of irrigated crop production is linked to a detailed hydrology model for purposes of improving policy estimates of economic cost and associated water saving of groundwater conservation management policies. Spatial and temporal desegregation, allows planners to target specific areas and improve the accuracy of benefit-cost policy estimates.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Challenges and Issues in the Next Decade: A Proactive Role for Agricultural and Resource Economists

Economic and environmental challenges in the global economy raise significant issues that require public policy and private sector attention over the next decade. Price volatility, invasive species, sustainable biofuels production, and climate change all affect our agricultural and resource base and its future. Agricultural and resource economists must provide analyses of public policy and private sector strategies based on innovative research that integrates insights across disciplinary boundaries. Proactive communication of the results to decision makers can make a difference in how these important societal issues are addressed and help to shape the future.economics, environment, policy research, communication, Agricultural and Food Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Trees and water: smallholder agroforestry on irrigated lands in Northern India

Trees / Populus deltoids / Agroforestry / Afforestation / Reforestation / Models / Water use / Water balance / Evapotranspiration / Precipitation / Remote sensing / Irrigation requirements / India

Taking the High Road: Protecting Open Space Along America's Highways

Examines the environmental impacts of road construction and the spiraling of land prices along new roads, and promotes best practices for linking land use and road construction. Includes success stories and recommendations for policymakers

Effectiveness of Two Water Conservation Policies: An Integrated Modeling Approach

Agriculture in the Texas High Plains depends entirely on the Ogallala Aquifer. Texas enacted water conservation legislation to address declining reserves in the aquifer. We developed an integrated regional water policy model that links a hydrology model with an economic optimization model to estimate policy impacts with respect to economic cost and water conservation. Testing the effectiveness of two policies, a groundwater extraction tax and extraction quotas, we observe that neither significantly inhibits groundwater use. Although both policies conserve similar amounts of groundwater, the regional cost of the tax policy to agriculture is more than the quota policy.integrated regional water policy model, Texas High Plains, water conservation policy, hydrology model, economic optimization model, Ogallala Aquifer, tax policy, quota policy, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, Political Economy, Q30, Q31, Q38,

Nanoscience and Nano-Technology: Cracking Prodigal Farming

Nano-science coupled with nano-technology has emerged as possible cost-cutting measure to prodigal farming and environmental clean-up operations. It has ushered as a new interdisciplinary field by converging various science disciplines, and is highly relevant to agricultural and food systems. Environmental Protection Agency of USA defined nanotechnology as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1-100 nm, where unique physical properties make novel applications possible. By this definition all soil-clays, many chemicals derived from soil organic matter (SOM), several soil microorganisms fall into this category. Apart from native soil-materials, many new nanotech products are entering into soil system, some of which are used for agricultural production and some others for many other purposes.

Nano-science (also nanotechnology) has found applications in controlling release of nitrogen, characterization of soil minerals, studies of weathering of soil minerals and soil development, micro-morphology of soils, nature of soil rhizosphere, nutrient ion transport in soil-plant system, emission of dusts and aerosols from agricultural soil and their nature, zeoponics, and precision water farming. In its stride, nanotechnology converges soil mineralogy with imaging techniques, artificial intelligence, and encompass bio molecules and polymers with microscopic atoms and molecules, and macroscopic properties (thermodynamics) with microscopic properties (kinetics, wave theory, uncertainty principles, etc.), to name a few. 

Some of the examples include clinoloptolite and other zeolite based substrates, and Fe-, Mn-, and Cu- substituted synthetic hydroxyapatites that have made it possible to grow crops in space stations and at Antarctica. This has eliminated costs of repeated launching of space crafts. A disturbing fact is that the fertilizer use efficiency is 20-50 percent for nitrogen, and 10-25 percent for phosphorus (<1% for rock phosphate in alkaline calcareous soils). With nano-fertilizers emerging as alternatives to conventional fertilizers, build ups of nutrients in soils and thereby eutrophication and drinking water contamination may be eliminated. In fact, nano-technology has opened up new opportunities to improve nutrient use efficiency and minimize costs of environmental protection. It has helped to divulge to recent findings that plant roots and microorganisms can directly lift nutrient ions from solid phase of minerals (that includes so-called susceptible (i.e., easily weatherable, as well as non-susceptible minerals)

Valuation of Property Surrounding a Resort Community

This article uses hedonic modeling for valuation of real estate located near Jackson, Wyoming and agricultural property throughout the remainder of Wyoming. The attributes of the hedonic model used to value resort properties are compared with attributes of the model used to value agricultural properties. It is observed that attributes affecting the value of resort property are significantly different from attributes affecting the value of agricultural property. Resort properties, even though classified as agricultural, derive their values from scenic amenities, existence of streams, vegetation and relative location. Alternatively, agricultural lands throughout the remainder of Wyoming derive value from a combination of productive and nonproductive attributes.