Bolstering NARS partners with systems modeling training

Dr R Vijayalakshmi of KVK, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, making a point at a recent workshop on systems modeling. Photo: S Punna, ICRISAT

The use of systems modeling tools and decision support systems can be of great advantage to farmers by helping them plan their farming activities based on weather predictions. ICRISAT has been actively involved in building up the capacities of its NARS partners in this area. Workshops, hands-on training sessions, and information exchange programs conducted by ICRISAT’s Innovation Systems for the Drylands (ISD) team increase awareness and use of these technologies among extension agents and subsequently, the farmers.

The ISD team, while developing, validating and piloting ‘whole-farm’ models, also aims to deploy the models in at least three different farming systems in the fragile semi-arid South India. This modeling technology is highly useful in evaluating climate-smart interventions and providing pathways to double farmers’ incomes. For this, extension agencies need to be trained to make efficient use of systems modelling tools and future decision support systems. With such training, they can then build farmers’ resilience to climate-related shocks.

The ISD team will be working with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana over the next one year to parameterize the farming systems and develop possible scenarios for each of these locations for integrating appropriate interventions.

For more information on ICRISAT’s work in the area of climate-smart agriculture, click here.

This work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal.