The goal of Tradeoff Analysis is to support informed policy decision making. The goal of policy modeling should be to provide timely analysis that is sufficiently accurate to inform policy decision making. In many cases, data, time and other resources are not available to allow use of the full Tradeoff Analysis system. The Minimum Data model (TOA-MD version 4) was developed to enable analysts to provide timely information by utilizing all available data for quantitative analysis of agricultural systems. The new TOA-MD version 5 extends the minimum-data version by modeling the whole farm system (crops, livestock, aquaculture, non-farm income) and simulating economic indicators (per-capita income, income-based poverty) and mean and threshold indictors for any other quantifiable economic, environmental or social outcome associated with the systems.
TAO-MD is a trade-off analysis tool. The new TOA-MD5.0 model extends the previous Minimum Data approach to simulate economic, environmental and social impacts of agricultural systems. This new version models populations of heterogeneous households with crop, livestock and aquaculture subsystems. The data file provides full model parameter and output variable documentation with pop-up variable documentation in the data sheets.This version can be used for a variety of types of analysis:
- Technology adoption and technology impact assessment
- Payments for Ecosystem Services, and other types of incentives (taxes, subsidies)
- Environmental change impact and adaptation, including climate change
Impact indicators include:
- Mean farm income and per-capita income
- Income-based poverty
- Mean and threshold-based indicators for any quantifiable outcome variable (e.g., non-income poverty; environment; health and nutrition; gender)
- Indicators for adopter and non-adopter sub-populations, and for the entire population
The trade-off Analysis Model is used for policy decision making.
The TOA-MD Applications Library
The purpose of the Applications Library is to lower the cost and improve the quality of impact assessments by creating a data bank of parameters for TOA-MD users, for meta-analysis, and other research purposes. On the Applications Library page is a list of applications and related publications that have used TOA-MD5. The data files in the TOA-MD Applications Library are not publicly available, but are available for use by Registered Users upon request, for legitimate research and other public good purposes.
Details of applications can be found in the TOA-MD Applications Library
A map of where the TOA-MD modle has been used is available here.
TOA-MD Technical Support and User Training
The TOA Team may be able to offer some limited technical support to MD Model users upon request. However, we ask users to be aware that the free technical support we provide is a voluntary activity and our ability to respond to questions is limited.
The TOA Project Team also periodically offers training courses to interested organizations and user groups. We encourage prospective users of the MD model to incorporate training plans into their project plans and budgets. Please contact us to estimate the costs of a training plan and availability. Based on our experience, we recommend a series of two, 3-5-day workshops. At the first workshop, the MD model concepts and software are covered, and data requirements of the users' projects are discussed. After the first workshop, participants collect data and carry out preliminary analysis. At the second workshop, the participants' data and analysis are reviewed, questions are addressed, etc.
The TAO-MD is used within the Agricultural Modelling Inter-comparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP)
Accessing the Excel version of TOA-MD5.0
The fully functional model is available to Registered TOA-MD50 Users. To become a Registered User, you must complete the following steps:
- Click here to complete the TOA-MD50 Registration Form. After we receive your form, we will send you an installation file with the Trial Version of the software and the Basic Learning Module. The Trial Version will work for 60 days after it is first used.
- Complete the TOA-MD50 Basic Learning Module and the End User Agreement.
Book Chapter:
Antle, J. M., R.O. Valdivia, K.J. Boote, S. Janssen, J.W. Jones, C.H. Porter, C. Rosenzweig, A.C. Ruane, and P.J. Thorburn. (2015). AgMIP’s Trans-disciplinary Agricultural Systems Approach to Regional Integrated Assessment of Climate Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation. C. Rosenzweig and D. Hillel, eds. Handbook of Climate Change and Agroecosystems: The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project Integrated Crop and Economic Assessments, Part 1. London: Imperial College Press, 22-44.
Related Publications (available on request)
Antle, J.M. 2011. “Parsimonious Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 93(5):1292-1311.
Antle, J.M. and J.J. Stoorvogel. 2006. "Predicting the Supply of Ecosystem Services from Agriculture." American Journal of Agricultural Economics 88(5):1174-1180.
Antle, J.M., Valdivia, R. 2006. “Modelling the supply of ecosystem services agriculture: a minimum-data approach.” Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 50: 1–15.
Antle, J.M., B. Diagana, J.J. Stoorvogel and R.O. Valdivia. 2010. “Minimum-Data Analysis of Ecosystem Service Supply in Semi-Subsistence Agricultural Systems: Evidence from Kenya and Senegal.” Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 54:601-617.
Claessens, L., J.J. Stoorvogel, and J.M. Antle. 2009. “Economic viability of adopting dual-purpose sweetpotato in Vihiga district, Western Kenya: a minimum data approach. ” Agricultural Systems 99:13-22.
Claessens, L., J.M. Antle, J.J. Stoorvogel, R.O. Valdivia, P.K. Thornton, and M. Herrero. 2010. “A minimum-data approach for agricultural system level assessment of climate change adaptation strategies in resource-poor countries.” Agricultural Systems, submitted.
Immerzeel, W., J. Stoorvogel and J. Antle. 2007. "Can Payments for Ecosystem Services Secure the Water Tower of Tibet?" Agricultural Systems 96:52-63.
Nalukenge, I., J.M. Antle, and J.J. Stoorvogel. (2009). “Assessing the Feasibility of Wetlands Conservation Using Payments for Ecosystem Services in Pallisa, Uganda.” In Payments for Environmental Services in Agricultural Landscapes . Ed. L. Lipper, T. Sakuyama, R. Stringer and D. Zilberman. Springer Publishing.
Smart, F. 2009. Minimum-Data Analysis of Ecosystem Service Supply with Risk Averse Decision Makers. Ms. Thesis, Montana State University – Bozeman.
The TOA-MD model is part of the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences Trade Off Project
