GC132-02
Responding to emerging food security needs using Earth Observation systems in Kenya

Thursday, 17 December 2020: 04:04
Virtual
Lilian W. Ndungu1, Anastasia Mumbi Wahome2, Robinson M Mugo2, Walter Lee Ellenburg II3 and Catherine Lilian Nakalembe4, (1)Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, SERVIR E&SA, Nairobi, Kenya, (2)Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Nairobi, Kenya, (3)University of Alabama in Huntsville, NASA-SERVIR, Huntsville, AL, United States, (4)University of Maryland College Park, Geographical Sciences, College Park, MD, United States
Recorded Presentation
Abstract:
COVID-19 has shed a spotlight on the inefficiencies in existing systems for responding to the data needs for agricultural decision making. While Kenya was already grappling with food insecurity, 2020 brought with it, new challenges. A 1 in 70 years Desert Locusts invasion was followed by COVID-19 coronavirus which introduced further constraints in the agriculture value chain. There has been a growing recognition on the need for governments to invest in Earth Observation (EO) Driven Data Systems.

SERVIR East and Southern Africa (SERVIR E&SA) has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives (MOALFC) in Kenya respond to these challenges by co-developing solutions to ensure continuous monitoring of the croplands as well as yield estimation and forecasting. To support the implementation of the Digital Food Balance Sheet, SERVIR E&SA has been providing bi monthly yield estimates and forecasts. The Digital Food Balance Sheet aggregates critical information to influence management of food stocks in the country. Despite the restrictions on movement imposed by COVID, MOALF is able to report and monitor the crop conditions, and extent of pests such as the Desert Locusts using the GEOGLAM Kenya National crop monitor. When the 2020 long rains led to flooding, SERVIR /E&SA responded by providing flood maps that highlighted the extent of cropland affected. Further, realizing the need and critical role the EO systems can play to fill critical data gaps, SERVIR E&SA was engaged in discussions that have resulted in an AGRA[1] grant to RCMRD[2] to coordinate the development of data for Regional Food and Commodity balance sheets for 11 countries in east and southern Africa.

This presentation will seek to highlight the timely interventions to development problems and the emerging food security crises in Kenya by SERVIR and its partners, and to demonstrate the value addition that EO provides for data driven decision making.

[1] Alliance for A Green Revolution in Africa

[2] Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development

<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>