What Can Be Learned about the Adaptation Process of Farming Systems to Climate Dynamics Using Crop Models?

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to reflect and discuss how the use of crop models by aware practitioners might trigger learning of how to think and act differently about the adaptation process of farming systems to climate dynamics. The development of adaptation strategies is discussed from the perspective of contrasting metaphors, since the metaphors in use have distinctive practical implications regarding how crop models might be used for adaptation purposes. Further, in this paper it is pointed out that adaptation should be understood as the result of a learning process and therefore the use of crop models for adaptation purposes must be transformed. Instead of seeing them only as tools to secure yield of cropping systems under a changing climate they must be conceived as components of learning systems for adaptation of whole farming systems.