A serious game to design integrated crop-livestock system and facilitate change in mindset toward system thinking

In integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), crops and animals interact in space-time, generating synergistic properties. ICLS design implementation are more complex than specialized due to their multiple interactions. Hence, appropriate innovative methods tools required facilitate of sustainable systems. We created a serious game (named SIPA game) as part thematic workshop (Farm Coaching) which gaming fosters participants attempt strategies experience farm-performance-related consequences. The was built provide experiential learning, the farmers assume role farm designers. Besides, researchers advisors act mediators final scenarios, contributing reflections on concepts mobilized related technical challenges. ran four workshops with 90 players southern Brazil interviewed 12 evaluate perceptions. interviews showed that allowed associate what they had learned Farm Coaching practical experience. encouraged rethink performance criteria, shifting from focus each component (either or livestock) focusing whole system integrated. analyzing contrasting scenarios according decisions groups. Regarding farmers’ perceptions peer participants, indicated crop livestock backgrounds an important point debate. Overall, served platform for exchanging knowledge perspectives among farmers, researchers, advisors. Newer versions scale-up reach many expected be developed, seems promising learning tool inspiring adoption ICLS. is first specific employs thinking budget planning associated temporal soil space use.