Food and nutrition security of Southeast Asian countries still relies mostly in smallholder farmers whose farming systems are in vulnerable areas prone to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Biotic stress management remains a main challenge as this requires accurate estimations of viable conditions for efficient production. Notwithstanding the shifts in seasons and likewise aggravated with pest and disease, these attainable yields vary between fields at farm and landscape levels.
Modeling is a useful research tool that can help research to detangle key determinants of productivity under stresses. Decision making support models can generate valuable specific information to improve farming systems productivity and its impact at different scales, ranging from the field to sub local region, and to entire country.
Within the above premise, the AgPractices&Domains tool is being developed by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). It aims to provide integrated pest and disease management options in rice based cropping systems. From the use of tool comes the platform that will allow a network of researchers carry out rice cropping systems' monitoring and evaluation combined with a documentation of community of practices that will further facilitate learning and exchanges between institutions and countries.
Meanwhile, SEARCA is currently developing a knowledge platform for supporting research activities in the SEA region by tapping into relevant information on agriculture, forestry and natural resources. The AgPractices&Domains tool by USQ will a working foundation for the SEARCA knowledge platform and network to develop large scale application including major rice growing areas in Southeast Asia and as well broader application in different crops.
