Decision support system for risk reduction in agriculture, Phase II: Soybean DSS for Eastern Paraguay and Rio Grande do Sul

We propose a study that will focus on the development of a web−based decision support system (DSS) to help soybean producers in Eastern Paraguay and in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to minimize production risks associated with climate variability. In our previous study, funded by the IAI seed grant program, we concluded that El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences soybean yields in Paraguay. Previous research conducted in Brazil also concluded that ENSO significantly influences soybean yields in Rio Grande do Sul. Crop simulation models will be used to simulate soybean yield under different climate and management scenarios including ENSO phases, planting dates and maturity groups. The design of the DSS layouts and functionalities will be based on an intense interaction with end users for testing and evaluation. We will seek to learn which formats and delivery methods are best from the end users\' point of view. Capacity building activities will include workshops, training and internships. A student from Paraguay will be selected by project investigators to follow a Master\'s program in Agronomy at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF). A crop modeling workshop will be conducted at UPF during the first year of the project. A second workshop focusing on the DSS will be conducted at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion (UNA) during the second year of the project. Extension agents, farmers, ag−cooperative managers, researchers, government and NGO personnel, and other decision makers will be trained in the use of the system... Situação: Concluído; Natureza: Pesquisa. Integrantes: Roberto dos Santos Rabello - Integrante / WILLINGTHON PAVAN - Coordenador / JOSÉ MAURICIO CUNHA FERNANDES - Integrante / Carlos Amaral Hölbig - Integrante / Carina Friedrich Dorneles - Integrante / Cristiano Roberto Cervi - Integrante / João Eduardo Pedrine - Integrante. Financiador(es): Instituto Interamericano para Pesquisas em Mudanças Globais - Auxílio financeiro.

2008 - 2009