Infusing the use of seasonal climate forecasting into crop management practice in North East Australia using discussion support software |
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| Institution: | 1. ABARE, GPO BOX 1563, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia;2. Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia;3. Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia;4. Agroclimatology Unit, NSW Agriculture, RMB 944, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia;1. Posgrado en Ciencias de la Tierra, UNAM. Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico;2. Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands;3. Instituto de Geología, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico;4. Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, ENAH, Mexico;1. State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China;2. Key Laboratory of Information Materials of Sichuan Province & School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu 610041, China;1. School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia;2. Department of Petrochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia;3. Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia;1. Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, PR China;2. State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, PR China;1. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi, CC 5988 Córdoba, Argentina;2. Instituto de Fisiología y Ecología Vinculado a la Agricultura del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IFEVA-CONICET), Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | Seasonal climate forecasting offers potential for improving management of crop production risks in the cropping systems of NE Australia. But how is this capability best connected to management practice? Over the past decade, we have pursued participative systems approaches involving simulation-aided discussion with advisers and decision-makers. This has led to the development of discussion support software as a key vehicle for facilitating infusion of forecasting capability into practice. In this paper, we set out the basis of our approach, its implementation and preliminary evaluation. We outline the development of the discussion support software Whopper Cropper, which was designed for, and in close consultation with, public and private advisers. Whopper Cropper consists of a database of simulation output and a graphical user interface to generate analyses of risks associated with crop management options. The charts produced provide conversation pieces for advisers to use with their farmer clients in relation to the significant decisions they face. An example application, detail of the software development process and an initial survey of user needs are presented. We suggest that discussion support software is about moving beyond traditional notions of supply-driven decision support systems. Discussion support software is largely demand-driven and can compliment participatory action research programs by providing cost-effective general delivery of simulation-aided discussions about relevant management actions. The critical role of farm management advisers and dialogue among key players is highlighted. We argue that the discussion support concept, as exemplified by the software tool Whopper Cropper and the group processes surrounding it, provides an effective means to infuse innovations, like seasonal climate forecasting, into farming practice. |
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