Using the serious game Dynamix to design trade relationships among grain and livestock farmers in Ariege
Résumé
Integrating crop and livestock farming at the regional level, via exchanges among farms, could be a promising solution to current farming challenges. However, establishing trade relationships (buying/selling of feed or manure) among farmers can be rather complex in terms of collective organisation (e.g., logistics, management). Here, we describe a participatory design process based on the serious game Dynamix as well as the game's use by two agricultural collectives. The game has five stages over which farmers redesign their farms by assessing the products and co-products they wish to buy or sell (e.g., grains, hay, manure). Farmers then position their desired actions on a regional map to deal with logistical factors. The scenarios arising from the game are then evaluated using a simulation model. This approach could be adapted for use in other contexts, including in educational settings.