How to Deal with Diversity in Cultivation Practices Using Scenario Generation Techniques: Lessons from the Asian Rice LCI Initiative

Abstract

We established a research initiative to construct life cycle inventory (LCI) database of agricultural production systems in Asian countries. Our activities started from the preparation of LCI data on rice production systems in each country, because rice is an important common crop in Asian countries. In order to deal with diversity of cultivation practices, we used the methodology of scenario generation techniques, in which an agricultural production system is defined as combinations of many elements, i.e., agricultural management practices. This paper provides an outline of our activities so far and future perspectives on the development of LCI databases for agriculture and foods in Asian countries.