Experience   Shrikant Jagtap, Ph. D.

Remote Sensing  Climatology	Crop Production	GIS & Software	Global Experience	Crop/Climate  Modeling	Rural Development

I have had various research interest and experiences over the years. They have resulted in the development of products and technologies that provide answers in a timely and cost-effective ways. I was trained in operations research and numerical modeling at the University Of Georgia and later in computer simulation and knowledge engineering at the University of Florida. While working in the tropics, I developed skills far beyond that of an agronomists through blending strong computer literacy with sound biological understanding to develop powerful modeling methodologies to improve the efficiency of natural resources and crop related research throughout the world. Few specific accomplishments are listed below.

1. Currently conducting research on agricultural sector climate assessment for SE United States. This involves synthesizing existing knowledge of regional climate impact on agriculture, simulate regional impact of climate change scenarios on crop yields and spatially aggregate simulated impact of climate change scenarios. The outputs will be used to initiate dialogue with stake holders for information and mitigation strategies.
2. Between 1989-98, I was principle scientists at the prestigious International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) where pioneering work on the use of agricultural systems analysis, agroclimatology and GIS was institutionalized and transferred through training to the nations of sub-Saharan Africa. In this capacity, my principle responsibilities included the implementation of research program in agroclimatology, crop ecology of tropical food systems in the sub humid and humid tropics of the world, and development of agroecologically oriented strategies for research management.
3. Models and system simulation along with GIS techniques were chosen to address daunting problems that arise from wide ecological variability, low productivity of agricultural systems, increasing pressure on land, over exploitation and unwise evolving land use patterns. The key contributions include: resource endowment driven agroecological zoning for rural development, applications of simulation models for sustainable site crop management, model for screening germplasm based on response to resource management, evaluating potential of soybean maize rotation and long-term assessment of nitrogen and variety technologies through maize simulation model.
4. Rule based crop models linked with GIS were developed to provide land use options based on expected crop yields with varying levels of inputs.
5. At the time when geographic information systems (GIS) technologies were expensive and difficult to use, I put them to full utilization throughout the region to organize information, inventory land and agricultural characteristics to aid planning and development. A number of inexpensive, easy to use PC-based packages tailored for developing country scientists budgets, equipment and capabilities were developed.
6. PC-based tools were: for matching farmers requirements for crops with natural resources, modeling vegetation by integrating remotely sensed data on biomass production, agricultural information systems that combines models of water balance, length of growing season and yield with expert knowledge to evaluate local crop performance and land quality indicators
7. These tools are used for site specific management and recommendations to improve productivity of agriculture and develop ecologically and economically sustainable technologies for the lands and people by over 500 users in several African countries.
8. Spatial and temporal variations and low inherent soil fertility and crop management practices present a unique challenge for developing strategic activities in sub-Saharan Africa. As an agroclimatologist, my research was focused on mitigating the effects of climatic variability on food production, development and maintenance of databases on agroclimatic conditions and ecosystems. These when combined with food crop models assisted meteorologists conduct research on characterization of agro-ecological zones that prioritizes research issues. This activity has lead to development of widely used agroecological zones maps, agroclimatic suitability and productivity maps for major food crops.
9. In view of my wide experience, I'm regularly invited by international agencies such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and others to join working groups of international experts organized on a range of subjects.
10. As member of the IBSNAT team, developed DSSAT V2.1, the computer software for the decision support systems which would enable research scientists throughout the world gain access to the latest agronomic understanding of major food crops, now encapsulated within computer simulation models. I have contributed to the development of soybean and peanut simulation models, data standards for use of the models as well as strategy analysis and weather generators for long-term economic and risk analysis.