Positive mathematical programming to model regional or basin-wide implications of producer adoption of practices emerging from plot-based research

Authors: QUINTANA-ASHWELL, NICOLAS - Mississippi State University; KAUR, GURPREET - Mississippi State University; SINGH, GURBIT - Mississippi State University; GHOLSON, DREW - Mississippi State University; Delhom, Christopher; KRUTZ, JASON - Mississippi State University; HEDGE, SHRADDHA - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2021
Publication Date: 10/30/2021
Citation: Quintana-Ashwell, N., Kaur, G., Singh, G., Gholson, D., Delhom, C.D., Krutz, J., Hedge, S. 2021. Positive mathematical programming to model regional or basin-wide implications of producer adoption of practices emerging from plot-based research. Agronomy Journal. 11(11):2204. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112204.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112204

Interpretive Summary: A method for calibrating models of agricultural production and resource use for policy analysis is proposed for use to leverage the multidisciplinary agricultural research conducated at the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research (NCAAR). An example for Sunflower County, MS is used to show how plot-level research can be extended to illustrate the implications across a wider area. A hypothetical improvement in yields for non-irrigated soybean varieties is input to the model and shown to have a positive impact on aquifer outcomes (water availability and recharge) as well as producer profits. The example illustrates that a change in just one agricultural practice and crop combination can have system-wide impacts as evidenced by the resultant change in acreages for all crops and practices.

Technical Abstract: A method for calibrating models of agricultural production and resource use for policy analysis is proposed for use to leverage multidisciplinary agricultural research at the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research (NCAAR). An example for Sunflower County, MS is presented to show how plot-level research can be extended to draw systemic region or basin wide implications. A hypothetical improvement in yields for dryland soybean varieties is incorporated to the model and shown to have a positive impact on aquifer outcomes and producer profits. The example illustrates that a change in one practice-crop combination can have system-wide impacts as evidenced by the change in acreages for all crops and practices.