Dr. Inbal Becker-Reshef (NASA Harvest Director) is co-organizing a session on Improving Food Security Policies: Innovative Agriculture and Market Monitoring, which is sure to be of particular interest to the agricultural community. Dr. Catherine Nakalembe (NASA Harvest Eastern Africa Lead) will present her paper on Integrating Earth Observations in National Agriculture Monitoring for Food Security which has also been selected as a focus for a press conference. Session details can be found below.

Improving Food Security Policies: Innovative Agriculture and Market Monitoring

February 15, 2020

8:00 - 9:30 AM

Washington State Convention Center - 611

Synopsis

Global trends in population growth and dietary changes show that the overall demand for food will continue to increase, and there are risks of natural resource degradation and scarcity due to increased competition and climate change. Currently, the number of undernourished people is on the rise again as a consequence of conflicts and climate extremes, which have resulted in recent food crises. Current and predicted challenges need urgent and integrated action, including sustainable intensification of agricultural productivity, improved access to food, as well as development and implementation of coherent and effective national and international governance. Monitoring the world's agricultural land and studying the effects of climate variability in a timely, transparent, and science driven manner are critical steps in this process.

Major advances in remote sensing capabilities alongside advances in big data analytics, cloud computing and super computing capabilities, and mapping technologies are potential game changers and increasingly used to support coordinated efforts to enhance market transparency and policy coordination in international food markets. By sharing their experiences, the panelists will demonstrate successful examples of a scientific evidence based dialogue with important global stakeholders, contributing to effective early warning systems for food security and taking action.

Integrating Earth Observations in National Agriculture Monitoring for Food Security

February 15, 2020

8:30 - 9:00 AM

Washington State Convention Center - 611

Synopsis

Currently, the use of readily available Earth Observations (EO) based tools, data and information are suppressed by a lack of trust and buy-in to the products, compounded by the lack of capacity to use and interpret the underlying data. Under the GEOGLAM framework, The University of Maryland working with partners has been successful in developing and adopting processes (incl. data and tools) that are responsive to end-user needs.