February 23rd 2024
The CGIAR’s Excellence in Agronomy (EIA) Initiative, with other partners, organized a crop modelling training workshop in Accra, Ghana, from February 19th to 23rd, 2024. Thirty-five participants from various countries and backgrounds attended, including Pacsu Simwaka, a LEG4DEV PhD student working on crop modelling for legume scaling.
The crop modelling workshop had five main objectives:
- Applying crop models for integrated climate risk assessment and adaptation strategy development.
- Enhancing understanding of crop simulation models for climate risk assessment.
- Providing an overview of future impact projections and adaptation options.
- Conducting hands-on exercises on applying crop models for climate risk assessment.
- Improving the comparability of crop-climate modelling in integrated risk assessments.
At the workshop, participants were divided into groups each focusing on the APSIM, DSSAT, and AquaCrop models. Within each group, facilitators delivered presentations and training covering a range of topics, including model introductions, climate change impacts, and practical exercises.
Within the APSIM group, the participants engaged in sessions covering model inputs, simulating different crops, and analysing climate patterns. LEG4DEV PhD researcher Pacsu Simwaka from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences from presented findings on assessing climate change impacts on maize productivity using APSIM.
Networking opportunities were provided during breaks and dinner, fostering collaborations among participants. The workshop provided valuable skills to the participants for improved research impact, while expanding professional networks.
To further advance skills in APSIM modelling, additional programs with APSIM developers were recommended for participants seeking more advanced training beyond the introductory level.
Overall, participation in the workshop highlighted the importance of crop modelling in predicting future trends and informing policy decisions, not only in Africa but globally.