TechnoGIN3: a generic tool for analysing cropping systems : Application of prototype for West-African conditions within the VINVAL project

TechnoGIN-3 has been developed for quantifying inputs and outputs of main current and future-oriented production activities (i.e. cropping systems) in regions in the Philippines, P.R. China and Vietnam. TechnoGIN stands for Technical coefficient generator for Ilocos Norte province, Philippines, as it was originally developed for this province. TechnoGIN is a technical coefficient generator (TCG) and is comparable to tools that have been developed for the purpose of explorative land use analysis under multiple goals in Costa Rica and Vietnam (Hengsdijk et al., 1996; 1998; Bouman et al., 1998; Jansen, 2000). TechnoGIN-3 is generic tool that can be applied to a large range of environmental conditions and to a large variety of cropping systems in a region. In addition to quantifying input-output relationships of main production activities, it can be used to determine the profitability and the cost-benefit ratio of these activities and their environmental pollution. For environmental conditions in West Africa, a prototype version of TechnoGIN-3 has been developed within the VINVAL project

Integration of remote sensing and simulation of crop growth, soil water and solute transport at regional scale

Water productivities (WP) are defined for different scales that can be considered in an agricultural area, such as the crop, the field and the regional scale

Analysis of crop growth

SWAP / WOFOST was used for a balanced estimation of yield and evapotranspiration, and to include interactions between soil-water and solute transport and crop development. The model was calibrated for wheat, rice and cotton in Sirs

Improving inclusion, competitiveness, and sustainability in midstream Honduran coffee chains

This article presents a systematic comparison between conventional and ‘differentiated’ coffee value chains, paying attention to (micro and macro) economic performance and environmental outcomes at different midstream segments of the Honduran coffee value chains. Growth has been strong in the Honduran coffee sector, especially among coffee cooperatives and commercial enterprises devoted to the production of ‘differentiated’ coffees at premium prices. We rely on a systematic data inventory of input use, costs, and benefits of all agents involved at different midstream stages of the coffee value chains to compare their performance. We find that midstream integration is critical for yield and quality improvement of Honduran coffee. This can be reinforced through voluntary certification (mainly for organic produce) and branding. Moreover, upgrading of conventional coffee for sales at local and regional markets offers some promising prospects for inclusion and sustainability

Which crop and which drop, and the scope for improvement of water productivity

The information provided in publications on water-related agronomic trials and irrigation interventions is often too limited to compare values of water productivity (WP), i.e. the ratio between produced plant biomass and the amount of water used for that production, from different years, regions, etc. in a meaningful way. In this article, we show with the help of simulation models how WP-values are affected by different definitions of the numerator and denominator, environmental circumstances, such as climate, year and sowing date, and crop characteristics. In many cases, this resulted in 10-25% change in the WP-values, and sometimes even more. A minimum dataset is formulated that will make normalization and comparison of different WP-values easier. Most of these data are known by those who execute experiments, and we recommend strongly that these are reported in the future. Simulation models are excellent tools to explore the limitations and opportunities for increasing WP, provided they are well calibrated and validated for biomass, soil water availability, and ET. Such a balanced estimation of the 'crop' and the 'drop' requires an improved cooperation between hydrologists and agronomists. Comparison of actual WP(E)T and simulated maximum WP(E)T for the same environmental conditions does show the scope for increasing WP(E)T and other WP-values. Since WP-values are ratios, the production level on a hectare basis should be given besides WP. When we try to find an optimum combination of production per hectare and production per m3 irrigation water, we will be able to produce 'more food with less water'

Integration of remote sensing and simulation of crop growth, soil water and solute transport at regional scale

Water productivities (WP) are defined for different scales that can be considered in an agricultural area, such as the crop, the field and the regional scale