MapSPAM

MapSPAM (Spatial Production Allocation Model) is a collection of datasets that provide spatially explicit information on physical crop area, harvested crop area, yields, and production systems at a 5-minute grid resolution. Developed using a cross-entropy approach, the Spatial Production Allocation Model (SPAM) disaggregates agricultural data from national and sub-national levels to individual grid cells. This allows for the visualization of spatial patterns in crop performance, supporting informed decisions in agricultural policy, food security planning, and sustainable development initiatives.

The dataset collection consists of multiple layers, each capturing a different dimension of crop production and agricultural practices:

• MapSPAM: Physical Crop Area – Represents the actual land area cultivated for each of the 42 crops, regardless of whether crops are grown once or multiple times per year.
• MapSPAM: Harvested Crop Area – Captures the total area harvested, accounting for multi-cropping (i.e., land used multiple times within a single year).
• MapSPAM: Yield – Shows crop productivity, calculated as production per hectare, enabling comparisons of yield efficiency between crops and regions.
• MapSPAM: Production System – Disaggregates crop area and yield by production system types, including irrigated vs. rainfed and high-input vs. low-input farming practices.

Together, these datasets offer a robust foundation for spatial analysis of agricultural trends, policy planning, and climate impact studies in the global food system.