NUANCES course/workshop 4-7 October 2011 (3 HEC)
Smallholder farming systems are complex, dynamic systems with many interacting biophysical subcomponents and competing demands for available resources. To analyse potential development
pathways of these farms a tool is needed to capture the effects and consequences of decisions made
on the use and allocation of resources.
The NUANCES framework (Nutrient Use in Animal and Cropping systems: Efficiencies and Scales) is an
integrated crop-livestock modelling tool that has been developed to meet this need within an African
context. It consists of a farm-scale modelling tool: FARMSIM (Farm SIMulator) including dynamic
summary sub-models for crop & soil processes (FIELD), livestock (LIVSIM), manure & organic refuse
management (HEAPSIM) and socio-economic components (LABOURSIM and CASHSIM). Analyses
carried out with the NUANCES framework include trade-offs in the short and long term e.g. for
allocation of land, labour and organic resources for the individual farmer and for villages. In this way
it can be used as a cost effective support for future choices for land management taking into account
food security, cash income goals and preservation of natural resources. This course introduces the
framework and gives hands-on assignments that facilitate its exploration.
Course content
This course will consist of four parts: 1) a literature pre-assignment, 2) a two day introductory part
where FARMSIM is presented and used, 3) a part where those working or planning to work directly
with these issues can then test the different sub-models using their own data or (in lack of such) the
default parameterisation/input data, and 4) a post-assignment. Part 2 will be open to all with an
interest in natural resource management at the farm level but for whom a short workshop with a
general introduction suffices.
Part 1 will:
give a literature background to resource management in general and nutrient management in
particular within in a smallholder context. During this time you will also organise your own research
material which can be used in part 3.
Part 2 will:
 introduce you to examples of complex smallholder farms
 allow you to use the FARMSIM tool to analyse interactions in crop-livestock systems
 enable you to explain long-term consequences of resource allocation on productivity of croplivestock systems at the farm level
 enable you to use indicators to evaluate management scenarios.
Part 3 will:
 introduce you to and allow you to start using the sub-models FIELD, LIVSIM or HEAPSIM,
depending on your own research area
 give the opportunity to evaluate whether the NUANCES framework can be used to answer
your research questions.
Part 4 will:
include a written evaluation of how/if the NUANCES can be useful in your individual fields of research
research, what would then be needed in terms of reparameterisation and data collection etc.
Teachers:
The on-campus part of the course (part 2) will be led by Dr. Mark van Wijk (Wageningen University,
The Netherlands), member of the team that has developed NUANCES. The pre- and post-assignments
will be handled by Dr Sigrun Dahlin (Dept of soil an environment, SLU).
Target group
The course is primarily intended for PhD students with a background in natural science and
undertaking studies related to natural resource management. Knowledge in soil and plant science
corresponding to an MSc will be needed to take full advantage of the course. Students affiliated with
the Natural Resource Management and Livelihoods Research School (NRML) will be given first
priority. Should the number of PhD students be less than 16, researchers and post-docs within SLU
and second year MSc students with a specialisation in natural resource management issues will also
be welcome.
Literature
The literature will consist of published scientific reviews and original research papers.
Organisers
The course is organised by Dr Sigrun Dahlin (Dept of soil and environment, SLU) for the research
school NRML (Natural Resource Management and Livelihoods in International Development) at SLU.
Time and place
The course will take place 4 – 7 October 2011 at the Ultuna campus, Uppsala.
Registration
Registration by e-mail to Sigrun Dahlin before August 30.
Contact person
Name:
Department:
Phone:
E-mail:
Sigrun Dahlin
Soil and Environment
070-6712299
Sigrun.Dahlin@slu.se
Literature (to be expanded)
Giller, K. E., P. Tittonell, M. C. Rufino, M. T. van Wijk, S. Zingore, P. Mapfumo, S. Adjei-Nsiah, M.
Herrero, R. Chikowo, M. Corbeels, E. C. Rowe, F. Baijukya, A. Mwijage, J. Smith, E. Yeboah, W. J. v. d.
Burg, O. M. Sanogo, M. Misiko, N. d. Ridder, S. Karanja, C. Kaizzi, J. K’ungu, M. Mwale, D. Nwaga, C.
Pacini, and B. Vanlauwe. 2011. Communicating complexity: Integrated assessment of trade-offs
concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and
development. Agricultural Systems 104:191-203.
Rufino, M. C., J. Dury, P. Tittonell, M. T. van Wijk, M. Herrero, S. Zingore, P. Mapfumo, and K. E. Giller.
2011. Competing use of organic resources, village-level interactions between farm types and climate
variability in a communal area of NE Zimbabwe. Agricultural Systems 104:175-190.
Tittonell, P., M. T. van Wijk, M. Herrero, M. C. Rufino, N. de Ridder, and K. E. Giller. 2009. Beyond
resource constraints – Exploring the biophysical feasibility of options for the intensification of
smallholder crop-livestock systems in Vihiga district, Kenya. Agricultural Systems 101:1-19.
van Wijk, M. T., P. Tittonell, M. C. Rufino, M. Herrero, C. Pacini, N. de Ridder, and K. E. Giller. 2009.
Identifying key entry-points for strategic management of smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan
Africa using the dynamic farm-scale simulation model NUANCES-FARMSIM. Agricultural Systems
102:89-101.