This paper describes research using multi-agent systems as a companion modelling tool to address key issues related to agroecosystem management in northern Thailand and northern Vietnam. The authors illustrate an approach for the use of complex models for the accompaniment of adaptive management experiences. First, some considerations on the shifts of paradigm that underlie the research are discussed. Then two case studies are presented. The first one illustrates the iterative process of problem solving with local stakeholders, while the second emphasizes the emergence of local institutions in the context of land reforms. In both cases, the research started with an analysis of the agrarian system, which integrated multiscale biophysical and socioeconomic knowledge by means of a model. The research process then evolved towards the use of such models in participatory approaches for community-based natural resource management. Regular interactions between researchers and local stakeholders mediated by the companion modelling tools were helpful in progressing local development.
Meat inspection has the ultimate objective of declaring the meat and offal obtained from carcasses of slaughtered animals fit or unfit for human consumption. This safeguards the health of consumers by ensuring that the food coming from these establishments poses no risk to public health. Concomitantly, it contributes to animal disease surveillance. The Catalan Public Health Protection Agency (Generalitat de Catalunya) identified the need to provide its meat inspectors with a support structure to improve diagnostic capacity: the Slaughterhouse Support Network (SESC). The main goal of the SESC was to offer continuing education to meat inspectors to improve the diagnostic capacity for lesions observed in slaughterhouses. With this aim, a web-based application was designed that allowed meat inspectors to submit their inquiries, images of the lesions, and samples for laboratory analysis. This commentary reviews the cases from the first 6 years of SESC operation (2008-2013). The program not only provides continuing education to inspectors but also contributes to the collection of useful information on animal health and welfare. Therefore, SESC complements animal disease surveillance programs, such as those for tuberculosis, bovine cysticercosis, and porcine trichinellosis, and is a powerful tool for early detection of emerging animal diseases and zoonoses.
Une approche intégrée a été développée dans le cadre du programme « Systèmes Agraires de Montagne » (SAM) afin de comprendre et modéliser à différentes échelles d'espace et de temps, les interrelations entre pratiques des acteurs, processus de production agricole et dynamique des milieux. Cette démarche est appliquée ici à l'étude des processus successifs d'allocation des terres de bas-fonds aux agriculteurs au moment de la décollectivisation et à l'impact de ces politiques foncières sur modes d'exploitation des terres de pentes et notamment l'évolution des systèmes d'abattis brûlis. Un modèle multi-agent (SAMBA) a été développé pour tester les hypothèses dérivées des enquêtes de terrain. A partir de quelques règles simples de comportement des exploitations agricoles il simule l'évolution de leurs stratégies de production durant la période clé des années 1980. Les propriétés émergentes à l'échelle du village : utilisation des terres de pentes, dynamiques des troupeaux, etc. sont analysées et comparées aux résultats d'enquêtes. Deux indicateurs fondés sur le ratio « main d'oeuvre / nombre de bouche à nourrir » des familles et sur l'appartenance ethnique permettent d'expliquer les redistributions successives des moyens de production et les dynamiques agraires récentes. Grâce au modèle SAMBA, ils ont pu être validés sur les sites de recherche du programme SAM et leur domaine géographique de pertinence a pu être évalué. Mots clés : systèmes agraires, agriculture de pentes, modèles multi-agents, dynamiques foncières, différenciation, Vietnam.
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