On-Farm Water Management Game Using Heuristic Simulation Software

A modern computer-based simulation tool in the form of a game for on-farm irrigation water management has been developed for application in training events for farmers, irrigators and extension agents. This training tool can be used to analyze both strategic and operational issues related to the management of on-farm irrigational water resources, and automatic analysis of the results to provide feedback to the trainees. It utilizes an interactive framework, thereby allowing the user to develop scenarios and test alternatives in a convenient environment. It employs heuristic capabilities in a simulation approach for modeling all of the important aspects of on-farm water management that are essential to effective strategic planning. This is done through the simulation of the performance of different scenarios for on-farm water management and profitability analysis. The daily soil water balance, crop phenology, root development, in addition to a seven-day weather forecast, can be monitored by the player throughout the simulated growing season. Different crop types, water delivery methods, and irrigation methods are made available to the player. Random events (both favorable and unfavorable) and different strategic decisions are included in the game for more realism and to provide a potentially more challenging game play. Scoring and recommendations are provided at the end of the game, based on the management decisions made by the player while playing the game. Through intelligent and heuristic simulation tools in the form of a game in which the effect of decisions can be visualized, a great deal of understanding of the parameter and variable interrelationships for a variety of situations can be attained in a much shorter time that it would take by field experience alone. This understanding can lead directly to improvements in on-farm water management