The use of computer simulation to assess the suitability of RWH technology interventions in semi-arid Tanzania

Abstract

Experimental research into soil-water management, whether on a research station or on farmers' fields, is necessarily restricted to specific sites over limited time intervals. Meaningful extrapolation is a problem. With this in mind, the SUA-Newcastle RWH project pursued a twin-track approach in which the experimental effort was linked to the development of a simulation model, which was designed to assess the suitability of RWH technology interventions for any new site. The simulation model is briefly described and typical examples of its use as a tool for agrotechnology transfer are presented. The interface is user-friendly and the model itself is designed to work with readily available site data. Long-term simulation at a new site can be easily achieved to permit evaluation of average performance and/or variability and risk. The yield-gap under existing practice can be evaluated alongside predicted performance under improved practice. Examples of the application of the model are given for a maize cropping system and for a rain fed nice cropping system in two different regions of Tanzania