The National Space Research and Development Agency has initiated its satellite-based agricultural monitoring system called Crop Watch to boost food security.
The agency has achieved this in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
The Aerospace Information Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also played a part in this.
Moreover, international partners and stakeholders fully attended the launch event held in Abuja on Tuesday.
They were present to address the critical problem of food security in developing countries.
The Director of NASRDA, DR. Adepoju Matthew stressed the importance of science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development.
He estimated that the world population could reach 9.5 billion by 2050, and to survive, food production must increase by 70 percent.
Therefore, the Crop Watch system works with a remote sensor and uses ground observation data to evaluate crop growth.
The system also observes crop yield and other related information at national as well as global levels.
The system enables users to open customizable agricultural production information services so that stakeholders can calibrate, localize, and automatically generate agro-climatic and agronomic indicators.
The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Uche Nnaji was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko.
She highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving food security.
She added that food security is one of West Africa’s major issues and it requires a joint effort to be curtailed.
Chinese Academy of Science Partner with UNESCO to Ensure Food Security in W. Africa
The Crop Watch program sits well with the Federal Government’s plan to ensure there is food security and freedom from hunger.
Additionally, with the program, farmers can use aerial techniques to transform agricultural production and food systems.
Launching Crop Watch signifies a step towards making food abundant in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region.
The Director of Asian and African affairs at the Chinese Academy of Science, Prof. Bingfang Wu, disclosed some nice plans.
Furthermore, he announced their plans with UNESCO to establish regional centers in West, North, and South Africa.
Finally, Prof. Wu added that their regional centers would develop models, train trainers, and promote the best agricultural practices in Nigeria and West Africa.