Supply Module

Agent decision models

The modelling of agent decision-making behaviour can be subdivided into separate (micro-) decision models that are individually parameterised and modelled as autonomous processes.  Initially this occurs independently. Within a simulation run, however, these decision models are sequentially adjusted to one another, then coordinated.
The following decision areas are modelled in SWISSland:

  • Production decisions
  • Farm growth and investment
  • Change in land-use regime (conversion to organic farming)
  • Farm exit and succession
  • Land exchange  through lease
     

Individual farm models

The production-and-investment-decision model of the individual agents is formulated as a mathematical optimisation model. The individual farm models illustrate the farm with all of its specific production and income possibilities, whilst bearing in mind the individual provision of the necessary production-capacity resources. One of the most important assumptions of the individual-farm models is that the farms maximise their expected household income, which consists of the sum of the agricultural and non-agricultural incomes.