Ask about the choice of base map when calculating crop production potential

[Yuuko843]

Hi, I'm curious, how do you select specific crops for the study area? For example, to calculate the maximum crop production potential for the region in 2020, do I need to get the crop production base map for the region in 2020 and then do the calculation only on the map where the crop is grown? Or is it to adjust many crop parameters, calculate the production potential of all crops in the area, and then perform overlay analysis to obtain the maximum value of a pixel as the maximum production potential of the area? Thank you for your answer.

[NokuzaSezo97]

Hi @Yuuko843,

If I understand your question correctly, you're evaluating comparative advantage of a variety of crops and select the crop as the most potential for a particular land to allocate in terms of maximum potential yields. If that's the case, you don't need base map of crop production because the AEZ algorithm can simulate maximum potential yield of your selected crops across your selected Area of Interest, and only you need to do is to make a comparative overlay analysis (In AEZ, this approach of crop allocation is known as umbrella crop method). If one crop performs the best in terms of maximum potential yield, the crop is allocated for that particular land pixel (of course, if you have known cropland parcel, you can do this approach at the farm level as well).

Or is it to adjust many crop parameters, calculate the production potential of all crops in the area, and then perform overlay analysis to obtain the maximum value of a pixel as the maximum production potential of the area?

For that part, I don't know what kind of crop types you're evaluating; it could be the same crop type with different management level or may be the different crop types with the same management. But that is also viable.

I hope my answer clarifies your question.

Regards,

Swun Wunna Htet