 Why was Feedstocks, Fibres & Food selected as our first theme?
A large proportion of the world's rural population survives in a precarious state, close to hunger. In some countries where this situation exists, the same agricultural sectors produce feedstocks for large biofuel complexes, largely made feasible by high petroleum prices. There is a continuing encroachment of agricultural activities on natural vegetation complexes and in particular natural forests.
The arguments for green fuels come from those who wish to reduce CO2 emissions as well as those wanting to stave off the serious economic impacts of high petroleum prices.
 Salinas Valley, California
Modern irrigation, data control systems and high quality production, high demand. So what are the issues? |
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The World Trade Organization is currently unable to resolve issues of agricultural trade which are of importance to developing country development. Developed country agricultural sector subsidies are being cited as the cause of depressed values of agricultural exports in developing countries. Developed nation politicians face pressure from their own agricultural lobbies to sustain subsidies.
To resolve these many conflicting issues strategies need to be identified where the best locations for producing feddstocks, fibres and food so as to sustain development, remove international tension and preserve the natural environment.
 Amazon rainforst, Brazil
Incursions by transport systems, agriculture and mineral prospection is devastating the forest. Legislation, observation satellites and much else seem to count for nothing.
So what are the options? |
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Feedstocks, fibres & food are matters of vital importance but in addressing the various challenges the agricultural sector faces there is a need to apply an objective decision analysis to identify solution options. Decision analysis itself can identify where better quality information is needed for analysis so as to identify the most appropriate solutions. Effective management of implemented solutions also requires information systems which can improve information quality over time.
Feedstocks, fibre & food involves questions of production economics, learning curve dynamics, systems models involving bioclimate, ecology and the environment, preservation, supply chains, transport systems, logistics, water resources management, factor and produce markets, and above all the needs of people as producers, consumers and those who make up the society and constituencies of rural regions.
The Feedstocks, Fibres & Food Workshop will address such matters as a basis for demonstrating the role of logic in refining decision analysis to secure improved and transparent solutions for analysis and operations management.
The relevance of analytical conclusions and demonstrable solutions to strategy and policy will be explained.
Hector McNeill |
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Workshops
ISEE have changed the scope of its training provisions by substituting course structures by problem-solving workshops. Workshops will be organized to address a complex systems challenge or relevance to society. The re-organization of our approach is the cause of delay in setting out the training objectives.
Feedstocks, Fibre & Food Workshop 2007-2008
Our first workshop, which will run from March 2007 through March 2008, will address the challenges of food and fibre production from a global perspective. The Workshop will review challenges, propose options and build online working implementations as proof of concept and of operation of all proposed solutions.
State of the art systems engineering economics
In addressing systems issues use will be made of state of the art internet scripting with a preference for ECMAScript-based implementations in line with the main concensus of major internet technology suppliers. We will use proven Windows interface languages and advanced user interfaces. All implementations of information systems will be geared to delivering the most cost-effective solutions for managing the operational processes concerned based upon transparent systems engineering economic principles. Solutions will address micro, macro and global network information flow and security.
Prospectus
The first Feedstocks, Fibres & Food Workshop will issue its Activity Prospectus on 15th March 2007.
Briefs
In the meantime interested parties can review briefs in support of this Workshop series in the briefs section. Our first briefs will be posted during the week starting 25th February, 2007. |