Interfacing crop simulation models with gis for yield estimation - A review

Crop simulation models are valuable tools to researchers to help them to understand the influence of climatic variables on crop productivity. The model estimated yields are handy to the agencies in government, trade and industry for planning about distribution, storage, processing, export or import of crop produce. Yield estimates by the models are also useful in taking timely policy decisions on fixing levy prices, because the estimates of the yield are available well in advance of the actual harvesting of the crop. Simulation models also provide global edge to the farmers and researchers since they are objective, fast and cost effective. The scope of applicability of these simulation models can be extended to much broader scales for regional planning and policy analysis by combining their capabilities with a Geographic Information System (GIS).