Nigeria has launched a new satellite-based crop monitoring system called Crop Watch to improve food security. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) introduced the system on Tuesday in Abuja with support from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Aerospace Information Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Adepoju Mathew, the Director General of NASRDA, emphasized the importance of science and technology in agriculture.
He said, “The world population is projected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, and food production must increase by 70 percent to meet this demand.”
He added, “Space Science, Technology, and Innovation play a crucial role in transforming agriculture and enhancing food security.”
The Crop Watch system uses satellite technology and ground observation data to monitor crop growth and predict yields. It provides tools for agricultural stakeholders to generate and analyze data about crop conditions and climatic factors.
Dr. Mathew explained that the system offers “open and customizable agricultural production information services.”
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The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Esuabana Nko, stressed the importance of collaboration for food security.
She stated, “Food insecurity is a major issue in West Africa, and we must work together to address it.”
Crop Watch is designed to help Nigeria and other countries in the ECOWAS region adapt to climate change and improve agricultural practices.
Dr. Mathew noted, “By working together, we can achieve food security, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the overall development of our communities and nations.”
Professor Bingfang Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences also spoke at the event. He announced plans to create regional centers in West, North, and South Africa in partnership with UNESCO.
Wu said, “We aim to promote agricultural development and food security in Africa through technology and innovation.”
Wu detailed how the Crop Watch system will use “edge computing platforms” and “large language models” to provide transparent and accessible agricultural data.
He explained that their approach includes “developing models, promoting best agriculture practices, and creating APIs for easy monitoring of crops, land, and water.”
He concluded, “This partnership will bring significant benefits to African countries, enhancing their agricultural productivity and resilience. We look forward to working together to achieve our goals.”