Description
AquaCrop is a crop-water productivity model developed by FAO Land and Water Division that simulates how crops respond to varying water availability under different climates, soils, and management practices. The initiative is widely used for irrigation planning, yield forecasting, and sustainable resource management, supporting farmers, researchers, and policymakers in tackling water scarcity challenges. The software tool provides a user-friendly platform to apply these functions in practice.
Technology
AquaCrop operates as both a desktop and web-based application, with open-source extensions: AquaCrop-OS, AquaCrop-OSPy, which allow advanced customization, scripting, and integration with external models. The core model simulates the soil-water balance, crop growth, biomass production, canopy development, and final yield, using FAO’s agronomic algorithms. The initiative enables scenario testing for different irrigation schedules, deficit irrigation strategies, and climate change projections. The system integrates climate, soil, crop, and management datasets and can connect with GIS, remote sensing, and sensor systems for precise modeling and decision support. The initiative is available in six languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian.
Target
Aquacrop is beneficial for researchers, policymakers, and farm advisors, as well as medium and large-scale farms for irrigation optimisation. The projects help reach smallholder farmers, ensuring broader accessibility in regions with diverse agricultural systems.
Business model
AquaCrop is freely available to users as a desktop download or web interface, supported by FAO and donor funding. The software open-source versions allow local adaptation and integration without cost, ensuring that no financial barriers prevent adoption.
Impact
In field trials across Europe and Central Asia, AquaCrop has shown high predictive accuracy, with simulated wheat and maize yields typically within ±10 percent observed values under varying irrigation regimes. These results support the initiative for optimizing water management and improving yield forecasts in regions facing increasing water scarcity. AquaCrop is deployed globally, with documented applications in more than 25 countries. The impact is further supported by a wide body of peer-reviewed publications and FAO technical reports, as well as embedded training videos and tutorials available on the website.
Partners
FAO; International Atomic Energy Agency; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization; Mekelle University; KU Leuven; Moi University; University of Córdoba; Partnership for Agricultural Water for Africa; Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Drylands
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
