Building capacity in modelling for robust, resilient crop systems in West Africa

Participants using the APSIM tool. Photo: Mallam Nura Garba- Centre for Dryland Agriculture

To enhance skills in modelling of crop systems by the agricultural research community in West Africa, a five-day workshop was recently conducted. The workshop trained researchers in the use of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) platform. The workshop was organized by ICRISAT-Nigeria and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano (CDA-BUK), Nigeria, where it was also held.

New and intermediate users to the platform attended the workshop titled “Introduction to APSIM and its applications for climate risk assessment/management in West Africa”. The workshop focused on the concept and analytical capacity of crop modelling through APSIM to determine a plant’s growth considering soil, water and nitrogen balances in environment against the backdrop of challenging climatic conditions. The instructors held topical discussions to demonstrate the workings of the individual components of modelling systems and how they can be linked for the best results.

Participants said that the workshop will help them design new cropping systems or ex-ante analysis of altering technology on resource constraints and adaptation to changing climate. The understanding of crop systems modelling and its applications as well as the ability to interpret outputs will be be improved. Participants added that the knowledge gained will also help them design efficient and effective climate-smart and market-oriented interventions for farmers.

The workshop’s participants. Photo: Mallam Nura Garba- Centre for Dryland Agriculture

The welcome address was made by Professor Jibrin M Jibrin, Director, CDA. Dr Hakeem A Ajeigbe, ICRISAT’s Country Representative in Nigeria, who encouraged the participants to utilize their training to enhance their research skills. “Crop models are decision support tools for 21^st century agricultural practices,’’ he said.

Dr Anthony Whitbread, Director for ICRISAT’s Resilient Farm and Food Systems Research Program, summarized the workshop’s activities and urged the trainees to continuously use APSIM until they master it.

The five-day training workshop was held from the 11 to 15 October 2021. Thirty six trainees participated in the workshop of which 33 people (25 Men and 8 women) were physically present with three joining virtually. The training was coordinated by Dr Akinseye Folorunso, Scientist, Agronomy and Agroclimatology, ICRISAT-Nigeria.