000			03989nam a22004937a 4500
001			G77069
003			MX-TxCIM
005			20220920151000.0
008			121211s ||||f| 0 p|p||0|| |
020			_a970-648-076-5
040			_aMX-TxCIM
072		0	_aE10
072		0	_aE14
090			_aCIS-3796
110	0		_aCentro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT), Mexico DF (Mexico)
100	1		_aHodson, D.P. _gSocioeconomics Program _gSustainable Agrifood Systems _8INT2550 _9843
245	0	0	_aGIS tools: _b They're not just for experts anymore
260			_aMexico, DF (Mexico) _bCIMMYT : _c2003
300			_ap. 47
340			_aPrinted
500			_aAbstract only
520			_aDespite advances in software usability, data access and analytic approaches, GIS is still only utilized by a fraction of potential users. This is particularly true in developing countries. However, an increasing number of software options and data sources are becoming available, and the situation is rapidly changing. This paper highlights a selection of widely accessible GIS tools, coupled to geographic datasets. These include the Africa Maize Research Atlas (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center-CIMMYT, incorporating ArcExplorer from ESRI Inc.), DIVA (International Potato Center-CIP /International Plant Genetic Resources Institute-IPGRI), and the Almanac Characterization Tool (Mud springs Geographers Inc.). These tools represent increasing levels of complexity in entry-level GIS systems, but all permit non-GIs experts to analyze and interpret geospatial data. The tools provide a means to improve spatial awareness amongst researchers that, in turn, can foster more efficient use of higher-level GIS resources. Additionally, such tools typically require a minimal amount of training (a maximum of two days), and represent zero or minimal cost options. To encourage GIS data access, CIMMYT has promoted the distribution of such tools, including data sets, to agricultural researchers. Climatology, soils, topography, infrastructure, demographics, and crop production data are typical inclusions. Additionally, these tools have considerable utility for the dissemination of data products arising from more advanced GIS analysis, namely, accessibility surfaces or poverty maps. Several examples are given of real world applications of these tools, including how they can assess impact. The adoption of conservation tillage (CT) technologies in the rice-wheat region of the Indo-Gangetic Plains is highlighted. Nearly two decades of research on tillage options now appear to be driving a substantial increase in the adoption of reduced tillage practices. Through the Rice Wheat Consortium; researchers are using hand-held GPs units to rapidly record field locations where farmers have adopted different CT technologies. These locations, and all associated attribute data, can then be transferred directly into a GIS to produce an accurate spatial and temporal record of technology spread across the region. This is possible in near real time, is undertaken entirely by researchers in the region, and requires an investment of less than US$200 in GIS/GPS hardware and software.
536			_aSocioeconomics Program
546			_aEnglish
591			_a0309|R01CIMPU|AGRIS 0301|AL-Economics Program
593			_aJuan Carlos Mendieta
594			_aINT2550
595			_aCSC
650	1	0	_aClimatologists
650	1	7	_aCrop yield _gAGROVOC _2 _91066
650	1	0	_aData analysis
650	1	0	_aDeveloping Countries
650	1	0	_aGeographical information systems
650	1	7	_aMaize _gAGROVOC _2 _91173
650	1	0	_aSoils
650	1	0	_aWheat
653	0		_aCIMMYT
650	1	7	_aGenetic resources _gAGROVOC _2 _91127
650	1	0	_91056 _aConservation tillage _gAGROVOC
650	1	7	_aAgricultural research _gAGROVOC _2 _91006
700	1		_aWhite, J.W., _ecoaut. _91789
700	1		_9960 _aWatson, D.J. _gResearch & Partnership Program _8INT3479 _eed.
942			_cPRO
999			_c6822 _d6822