How Satellite Can Enhance Climate-Smart Farming in Africa, Middle East, and Asia
To ensure food for 8 billion in a changing climate, prioritize science and technology, especially in poorer nations. To ensure food for 8 billion in a changing climate, prioritize science and technology, especially in poorer nations.
After July 2023, the hottest month ever recorded, the UN and its partners are working harder to help poorer countries use satellite technology for farming that can withstand climate change.
With extreme and frequent bad weather, it’s crucial to adapt farming to climate change to prevent losing crops and to fight global hunger.
CROPWATCH: EMPOWERING NATIONS THROUGH SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY
People from 11 poorer countries in Africa and the Middle East came to Mauritius in August as part of a UN program called CropWatch to learn how to use satellites and data to make farming better.
CropWatch utilizes satellites to monitor crops and furnish data on factors such as droughts, pests, and diseases, thereby assisting farmers in more effective farm management. Moreover, each country can tailor it to their specific requirements.
- Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Mauritius’ Vice Prime Minister, believes in the role of science and technology in their nation’s adaptation to a changing world.
- In the Mauritius workshop, people from various countries learned about using advanced tools like sensors and analysis for farming.
- Participants received training on the CropWatch application during the workshop, including its use for water management in crops.
- Kenya found the training valuable for managing rainfed crops during severe drought.
- CropWatch, a collaboration involving the UN, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and others, aims to share satellite technology knowledge among poorer countries.
- Following a UN meeting in March 2023, Cameroon, Ghana, Lebanon, and Zimbabwe joined the program.
- The UN is a strong advocate of technology partnerships among its member countries, as exemplified by CropWatch.
- If successful, CropWatch can enhance farming decisions and resilience to climate change in the long term for participating countries.
