With climate change impacts, deforestation, and land use changes accelerating around the world, the need for mapping croplands—which cover 1.2 billion hectares, approximately 12% of Earth’s surface—is growing more urgent. Sustaining a growing global population, while protecting vital natural ecosystems, requires more efficient crop systems that sustainably produce more on less land and less water. Understanding the precise cultivation methods and geographical distribution of specific crops is crucial for framing research initiatives, establishing benchmarks, and guiding investment choices to move toward those goals.
IFPRI’s Spatial Allocation Model (SPAM) has provided a key tool for assessing croplands since its introduction in 2000. SPAM is a global model that shows those patterns of crop areas and yields by management systems—providing critical information for sustainable supply chains, water stress models, and an understanding of agricultural production worldwide. A new version of the model—SPAM2020—was launched at an April 29 webinar.