The Model of Farm Management Information System: A Case-Study of Diversified German Farm

Abstract

For more than six decades researchers, scholars and agricultural advisors have tried to implement modeling and information systems in the farming sector through out the world. Until today however, their success has been rather limited. Thereby, Germany is no exception. This is true, allthough a sophisticated farm management is more important for German farmers than ever before. The fast changing envitronment, including difficult market conditions and a high exposure to financial risks are major reasons. Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) appear to be a powerful tool to deal with the new conditions. However, farmers still rely more on their intuition than on proper management tools, when it comes to running a farm business. The objective of this paper is to give an brief overview why modeling has not had its breakthrough in the farming sector so far. Secondly, it aims on demonstrating how a FMIS should be implemented and what farmers or agriculture advisors have to consider during its implementation. Therefore, a medium-size diversified farm in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) was selected as a research subject for a descriptive case-study. This approach supports a treatment of various potential problems when it comes to the implementation of a FMIS.