Earth observation tools critical for Agriculture
The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa ( CCARDESA) has advised Botswana to adopt modern Earth Observation tools to achieve sustainable food production. Speaking to Botswana Guardian, CCARDESA Research Coordinator, Dr. Baitse Podisi said earth observation tools help farmers to identify problems which might affect plants and animals thus enabling improved farm produce. “Earth observation tools are critical and more credible because they cover several sectors including land, animal traceability, and disease control as well as weather observations.” He highlighted that African countries are still at infancy stage on earth observation tools so there is need for advancement if they aim to improve food production which is currently challenged by global market shocks and Covid- 19 effects. “Mostly in Botswana advanced farmers use drones but they have limitations because they do not cover large areas, do not assist in weather predictions and in most instances their pictures and video resolutions are of low resolution and this does not provide sufficient information.” CCARDESA hosted a workshop last week which aimed at identifying stakeholders involved in the use of earth observation data, information, and products, GIS mapping and remote sensing, weather forecasting, land or soil suitability mapping, crop phenology modelling, water and vegetation cover monitoring, monitoring, or predicting pest or disease outbreaks besides other products and services.
Podisi said they are currently working with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa ( ASARECA) to implement the information for agriculture and Food Security and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme EX Pillar 4 ( CAADP- XP4) Programme on Agricultural Research and Innovation.
Researchers have pointed out that food security is further exacerbated by a changing climate with increasing temperature, diminishing yearly rainfall, and worsening extreme events such as drought and floods. The CAADP- XP4 Programme is being implemented in partnership with other Ex- CAADP Pillar 4 Africa institutions comprising; African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services ( AFAAS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa ( FARA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development ( CORAF) and ASARECA). In Southern Africa, its implementation is focused on seven SADC target countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The CAADP- XP4 project supports a science- led and climaterelevant agricultural transformation in Africa and aims at strengthening the capacities of CCARDESA, ASARECA and their partners to deliver on their Agricultural Research for Development ( AR4D) mandate. It is intended to collectively support African countries to implement relevant programmes of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ( CAADP) through inclusive regional and international partnerships; production and exchange of climate relevant agricultural knowledge; effective communication, monitoring and evaluation; promotion of systemic and effective use of science, knowledge and innovation; and representation of the Sub Regional and National Organisations at continental level. Botswana is currently developing its satellite which will be beneficial in water resource management, industrial development, environmental management, land management, food security and sustainable agriculture.
In his State of the Nation Address on Monday President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Botswana Satellite ( BOT SAT- 1) in Palapye, has been developed in partnership with the Cape Town University of Science and Technology. “A major component of this satellite is the ground communication station which has been completed and ready for commissioning. This ground station will immediately communicate with other orbiting satellites before the launch of our own satellite in 2023.”