Validation of Agent-based Approach for Simulating the Conversion to Organic Farming

Authored by Crtomir Rozman, Andrej Skraba, Karmen Pazek, Davorin Kofjac

Date Published: 2017

DOI: 10.1515/orga-2017-0018

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the principles of the development of parallel system-dynamics and agent-based models of organic farming for the case of Slovenia. The advantage of agent-based modeling is demonstrated by including geospatial information as an agent attribute. The models were compared by the validation, confirming the appropriate level of similarity.\& para;\& para;Design/Methodology/Approach: Both system-dynamics and agent-based modeling approaches were applied. Statistical methods were used in the validation.\& para;\& para;Results: The results of the validation confirm the appropriateness of the proposed agent-based model. Introducing additional attributes into the agent-based model provides an important advantage over the system-dynamics model, which serves as the paradigmatic example.\& para;\& para;Conclusion: A thorough validation and comparison of the results of the system-dynamics and agent-based models indicates the proper approach to combining the methodologies. This approach is promising, because it enables the modeling of the entire agricultural sector, taking each particular farm Into account.

Tags

Agent-based models System dynamics Organic farming Validation systems Multimethod simulation