GIS technology will aid in mapping crop types to enhance land management in Africa. The escalating threat of extreme weather events due to climate change is increasingly jeopardizing global food and water supply security. Africa, already grappling with agricultural productivity challenges and severe soil degradation, is particularly vulnerable. In a joint effort to support African governments and non-profit organizations in addressing these challenges, global leaders in the geospatial intelligence field, Esri, and Microsoft, have collaborated to initiate sustainable agricultural development programs in Africa. Together, they will develop and introduce technological solutions to assist organizations across Africa in large-scale crop mapping efforts, thereby improving agricultural management.
Richard Budden, Vice President for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia at Esri, stated, “The collaboration between Microsoft and Esri has a long history, such as the recent ‘Planetary Computer Program,’ an initiative to create a global land cover map, including global environmental data cataloged from Esri’s ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World. We are pleased to expand this collaboration to support sustainable agricultural development in Africa.(sources from resopp-sn.org)”
There is an urgent need to increase agricultural productivity across the entire African continent. Deeper insights into current agricultural conditions, close monitoring of crop conditions throughout the growing season, and mitigating the impacts of climate change can contribute to increased yields and food security. Leveraging Esri’s Geographic Spatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) capabilities, satellite imagery, and Microsoft’s infrastructure and AI devices, the collaboration aims to identify, extract, and monitor the distribution and health of crops seasonally.
Providing data related to water, fertilizer, and seed usage at the right time can contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices and improve crop yield predictions. Key stakeholders can gain insights from the data through intuitive visualization interfaces, applications, and dashboards, enabling more informed business and policy decisions.
To empower government agencies in Africa to use geospatial tools to support sustainable agricultural development, Esri recently launched the Africa Agriculture Spatial Initiative. The company is participating in the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. At the Microsoft booth, made from recycled materials, Esri will showcase how GIS plays a crucial foundational role in helping Africa achieve sustainable agricultural development(quotes from resopp-sn.org).
Esri is a global market leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) software, intelligent location, and map creation, helping customers unlock the potential of data to improve operations and business outcomes. Founded in Redlands, California, in 1969, Esri’s software has been deployed by over 350,000 organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. With numerous regional offices, international distributors, and partners, Esri provides local support services in over 100 countries across six continents. Committed to pioneering advancements in geographic spatial information technology, Esri designs innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics.
