Modeling Agriculture and Food Production: Selected papers on System Dynamics. A book written by experts for beginners

By Juan Martín García

EDITION 2026

Learn System Dynamics by building models-not just reading about them.

This book is designed for readers who want to understand how to create simulation models with System Dynamics and apply them to real-world problems.

Instead of focusing only on theory, it takes a practical, step-by-step approach. Through carefully developed examples, you will learn how to move from an initial problem to a complete simulation model: identifying the key variables, understanding feedback relationships, building stock-and-flow diagrams, defining equations, running simulations, and interpreting the results.
The examples allow you to follow the modelling process progressively and reproduce it yourself, helping you develop the confidence needed to create and analyse your own models.
But learning how to build a model is only part of the challenge. It is equally important to understand how System Dynamics is used in practice. For this reason, the book also includes a selected collection of scientific and applied papers that demonstrate how simulation models can be used to investigate complex problems, test alternative scenarios, and support better decisions.

By combining practical instruction, step-by-step modelling examples, and real applications, this book helps bridge the gap between learning System Dynamics and actually using it.

What you will gain from this bookA clear understanding of the System Dynamics modelling process.Practical experience in building simulation models step by step.A better understanding of stocks, flows, feedback loops, delays, and nonlinear relationships.Guidance on translating real-world problems into simulation models.Experience analysing model behaviour and testing alternative scenarios.Insight into how System Dynamics is applied in scientific research and professional practice.Real examples showing the possibilities-and limitations-of simulation modelling.

Whether you are a student, researcher, consultant, professional, or decision-maker, this book will help you move beyond simply understanding System Dynamics concepts and begin using them to explore complex systems, evaluate alternatives, and support better-informed decisions.

From understanding a problem to building a model-and from building a model to applying it in the real world.
For Amazon, I would particularly recommend keeping the opening sentence "Learn System Dynamics by building models-not just reading about them." It immediately communicates the book's main advantage.

INDEX OF MODELS FOR BEGINNERS (explained step by step)

1. Population Growth
2. Modeling the Ecology of a Natural Reserve
3. Effects of the Intensive Farming
4. The Fishery of Shrimp
5. Rabbits and Foxes
6. A Study of Hogs
7. Ingestion of Toxins
8. The Barays of Angkor

INDEX OF PAPERS

Paper 1. Sustainable Food Availability
Paper 2. A FAO's Model of Agro-food Systems
Paper 3. Crop Modelling in a Rainfed
Paper 4. Fishing in a Natural Environment
Paper 5. A Growing Farm of Chicken
Paper 6. Agro-food Industry Modeled
Paper 7. Livestock Production Modeled
Paper 8. Dormice and Hazelnuts Production
Paper 9. Constraints in Piggery Industry
Paper 10. Sheep Producers and Consumers
Paper 11. Poultry Supply Chain
Paper 12. The Winery Industry
Paper 13. Group Model Building
Paper 14. Dynamic Input-Output
Paper 15. Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Footprint
Paper 16. Water-Energy-Food Nexus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Juan Martin Garcia, expert in System Dynamics and System Thinking, Ph. D. Industrial Engineer UPC (Spain) and Postgraduate Diploma in Business Dynamics at the MIT (USA)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 168698457X
• ISBN13: 9781686984570
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 1.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 11.0"