ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of agroclimatic modeling techniques with emphasis on crop yield models, because of their significance in long-term planning and short-term decision making in agriculture. Developing countries require information from such models for long-term agro-economic planning. Developed countries have a need for near real-time meteorological/biological information designed to monitor the crop conditions, water reserves, and yield prospects. Agroclimatic models can provide useful information relative to the potential for crop and livestock production, water requirements for irrigation farming, land use patterns, expected variations in food distribution, and agro-economic planning. Unfortunately, the application of climatological knowledge to agriculture and other sectors of the national economy in developing countries is hindered by lack of data, facilities, and human resources. Agroclimatic models are defined as techniques for interpreting climatological data—and other physical/biological information—in support of the agricultural research, development, and services.
