AR_Malawi_sys_design_model_training_June2017

Lilongwe, Malawi

 * Participants**
 * 1) Leonard Rusinamhodzi, CIMMYT
 * 2) Anthony Whitbread, ICRISAT
 * 3) Patrick Okori, ICRISAT
 * 4) Vincent Vadez, ICRISAT
 * 5) Amos Ngwira, ICRISAT
 * 6) Vimbayi Chimonyo, MSU
 * 7) Princess Adjei Frimprong, MSU
 * 8) John Dimes, ICRISAT
 * 9) Regis Chikowo, MSU
 * 10) Sieg Snapp, MSU
 * 11) Brad Peter, MSU
 * 12) Placid Mpeketula, MSU
 * 13) Timmy Silberg, MSU
 * 14) Robbie Richardson, MSU
 * 15) Ho Young Kwo, IFPRI
 * 16) Carl Timler, WUR
 * 17) Jeroen Groot, WUR
 * 18) Patricia Masikati, ICRISAT
 * 19) Jim Kells, MSU
 * 20) Esther Mugi, IPNI/WUR
 * 21) Ron Bates, MSU

The main objective of the workshop was to take stock of findings based on application of APSIM and related cropping system models to enhance design and sustainable intensification of farming systems, including what has been learned over two decades in Malawi and surrounding countries, and frame a pathway for the future.
 * Objective/Purpose**

__Morning:__ Big picture' what have we learned? (FarmSim, APSIM applications in SE African farming system sustainable intensification design)
 * Agenda**
 * Day 1 (5 June, 2017)**
 * Welcome and Introductions - Sieg Snapp
 * ESA Africa RISING farm system design - insights from models - Leonard Rusinamhodzi
 * Modeling at farm scale and beyond - Carl Timler
 * APSIM for participatory action research on sustainable intensification - a changing climate - Regis Chikowo
 * APSIM - applications and aspirations in cropping system design - Vimbayi Chimonyo
 * APSIM lessons learned in cropping system designs - John Dimes

__Afternoon:__ 'Deep dive' what have we learned
 * Crop modelling insights from a plant physiologist - Vincent Vadez
 * APSIM lessons in understanding cropping systems performance - Leonard Rusinamhodzi
 * Stock taking on existing data, validation and parameterization - Amos Ngwira
 * Systems dynamics modelling - new directions for Africa RISING research - Robbie Richardson
 * Modeling marginal and resilient agriculture at scale - Brad Peter (MSU geographer/APSIM)

__Where are we going?__
 * Day 2 (6 June, 2017)**
 * Crop modeling application, how can we use it and limitations - Anthony Whitbread
 * Application examples: Princess, Carl, Amos, others - (reports on outputs from APSIM training session conducted just before the workshop)
 * Hands-on feedback sessions for model application examples - (participants to work in small groups with students to help improve the model applications and studies underway)
 * Small group work - What is underway - what trials can provide input into model validation and parameterization
 * Anthony Whitbread New science needed to improve crop models


 * Day 3 (7 June, 2017)**
 * Next steps - planning a ways forward