ISHS Acta Horticulturae 276: II International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
DEVELOPING A MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR PINEAPPLE FARMERS |
| Author: | E.R. Sinclair |
| Abstract:
Pineapple grower representatives and Queensland Government researchers have agreed that a computer based simulation model would assist pineapple farm management. The model is being developed to be as practical as possible for farmer users. It has three major modules: - a farm record keeping facility, the ability to simulate farm operations into the future from the farm description in these records, and the ability to simulate alternative farm operations. Although still in the early stages of development, it has been considered important to show it to as many growers as possible. In this way, the farmers, who are mostly not at ease with computers, become accustomed to the concept of a management model, and the model development itself benefits from feedback from the practical potential end user. These early stages of model development have concentrated on the farm management aspects. When the model is complete, the driving force of the simulations will be a dynamic, physiological model of pineapple growth and development. This physiological model would have world wide application, but to be used for management purposes, each pineapple growing locality would have to add a management shell appropriate to its own practices. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
