Toward more efficient model development for farming systems research - An integrative review

Bio-economic simulation models are widely established in Farming Systems Research; they are used to investigate complex real-world phenomena in agricultural production. Such simulation models are largely designed and created by scientists from different disciplines who are not modeling experts. Thus, IT knowledge is required, but this area of expertise falls outside of most agricultural researchers' background. IT knowledge is essential for the maintenance, development, and applicability of simulation models. Often, bio-economic simulation models require a fair amount of time to ensure basic functionality before specific research questions can be answered. Researchers who contribute to the creation of a bio-economic simulation model often spend the majority of their time ensuring basic model functionality. This integrative literature review provides a few basic rules that are intended to ensure more efficient model development. There is an increased need for support from IT personnel who are not researchers in their own field but who can increase the quality of such models and their reusability in different contexts.