Economic model of coconut based farming systems. A guide

The model presented in this short guide is the result of the project 'Coconut-Based Farming Systems -Functioning and Economic Analysis Models', which was funded by the European Commission (DGXII), co-ordinated by CIRAD, and undertaken in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) of Tanzania. For more background information it is recommended to consult the annual project reports prepared by CIRAD and NRI. The guide was prepared with a view to accompany the Excel5.0 version ofthe model entitled 'coco-eco.xls'. It provides an overview of the key features ofthe model, and aside from general spreadsheet tips, leads through the various components of the model. The appendices contain a printout of the empty model. The sections on 'Basic Principles of the Model' and 'Main Indicators' only highlight the key elements of the model without going into great detail. More information is contained in the section guiding through the various sheets of the model. The tables in the latter section are first of all for illustration purposes, and are to some extent based on dummy data. Originally, in collaboration with the BEAM Project of the University of Wales, an attempt has been made to create a more comprehensive model allowing an economic and labour analysis over a period of up to 60 years for situations with and without coconut based intercropping. Unfortunately, due to time and budget constraints it was not possible to finalise this larger model prior to the end of the project. Time permitting, BEAM will complete and disseminate it during the course of 1998. This led to the creation of the current model, which, despite of being a smaller version, is very much in line with the data to be generated by the bio-physical CIRAD model. The current model is entirely NRI's responsibility. A final reminder to the reader of this guide. The model primarily focuses on economic aspects of coconut based intercropping systems. However, depending upon the circumstances, farmers may also have other priorities such as food security, or labour saving agricultural practices. This can lead to situations where economic profitability may only be a secondary objective for the farmer