Dear Colleagues,

 

I would like to draw your attention to a recently published book entitled

Decision Support Tools for Smallholder Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa:  A practical GUIDE,   edited by T.E. Struif Bontkes and M.C.S. Wopereis 

 

This book is meant to help agricultural researchers and extension staff in developing countries in the selection and application of tools that facilitate decision-making with a view to improve soil fertility management and agricultural productivity. Several tools are described and illustrated by a number of case studies from Africa and Asia: QUEFTS, DSSAT, APSIM, Rothamsted Carbon Model, Resource Flow Management, ResourceKIT, NUTMON, COTONS, Nutrient Management Support (NuMaSS), Rice Development (RIDEV), System for regional analysis of agroclimatic risks (SARRA). Brief descriptions are provided of COTONS, Phosphate Rock Decision Support System (PRDSS), Organic Resource Database (ORD), SOILPAR, Soil-water parameters and a decision support system on the use of legumes. Information is provided about ways to obtain these tools.

A general overview is provided of the various stages in agricultural decision-making, and for each stage, tools are identified that can be used in that particular stage. 

This book is a result of the COSTBOX project (A Client-Oriented Systems Tool Box for Technology Transfer Related to Soil Fertility Improvement and Sustainable Agriculture in West Africa), managed by the IFDC-Africa Division and funded by the Ecoregional Fund to Support Methodological Initiatives. The publication of this book was co-funded by CTA.

A French version of this book will be published shortly.

The cost of the book is US $ 25, including shipping.

The book can be ordered via the website of IFDC (http://ifdc.org/Publications_Catalog/Reference_Manuals/index.html) or you may send an e-mail to [log in to unmask]

 

Tjark Struif Bontkes