Use of digital terrain modelling for farm planning for mechanical harvest of sugar cane in Mauritius

The use of digital terrain modelling (DTM), to relate machine requirements for efficient mechanical harvest of sugar cane to existing field conditions and to identify soil conservation measures and required land improvement, has been assessed in a case study. It was possible, using DTM together with computer aided design (CAD) facilities, to categorise slopes, identify drainage lines (waterway site) and catchment areas, estimate areas of subcatchments for the design of waterways, decide on soil conservation measures, calculate soil work (cut and fill) required to modify land forms and field slopes and draw new plans or field layouts. DTM and related computer-based technologies are flexible (e.g. to changes in field or machine characteristics), more precise and faster than conventional methods of farm planning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.