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MASSAI: Multi-agent system for simulating sustainable agricultural intensification of smallholder farms in Africa
Journal article   Peer reviewed

MASSAI: Multi-agent system for simulating sustainable agricultural intensification of smallholder farms in Africa

Powell Mponela, Quang Bao Le, Sieglinde Snapp, Grace B. Villamor, Lulseged Tamene and Christian Borgemeister
MethodsX, Vol.11, p.102467
12/01/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102467
PMID: 38023314
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102467View
Published (Version of record) Open

Abstract

Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology Science & Technology - Other Topics
The research and development needed to achieve sustainability of African smallholder agricul-tural and natural systems has led to a wide array of theoretical frameworks for conceptualising so-cioecological processes and functions. However, there are few analytical tools for spatio-temporal empirical approaches to implement use cases, which is a prerequisite to understand the perfor-mance of smallholder farms in the real world. This study builds a multi-agent system (MAS) to operationalise the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) theoretical framework (MASSAI). This is an essential tool for spatio-temporal simulation of farm productivity to evaluate sustain-ability trends into the future at fine scale of a managed plot. MASSAI evaluates dynamic nutrient transfer using smallholder nutrient monitoring functions which have been calibrated with pa-rameters from Malawi and the region. It integrates two modules: the Environmental (EM) and Behavioural (BM) ones.center dot The EM assess dynamic natural nutrient inputs (sedimentation and atmospheric deposition) and outputs (leaching, erosion and gaseous loses) as a product of bioclimatic factors and land use activities.center dot An integrated BM assess the impact of farmer decisions which influence farm-level inputs (fertilizer, manure, biological N fixation) and outputs (crop yields and associated grain). center dot A use case of input subsidies, common in Africa, markedly influence fertilizer access and the impact of different policy scenarios on decision-making, crop productivity, and nutrient balance are simulated. This is of use for empirical analysis smallholder's sustainability trajec-tories given the pro-poor development policy support.

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