In an unprecedented collaboration, the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are joining forces to empower vulnerable small-scale food producers. By harnessing advanced spatial technology and data from ESA, IFAD's agricultural programs are set to revolutionize the sector, enabling targeted interventions and the monitoring of critical natural resources that underpin the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and pastoralists.
Utilizing remote sensing techniques, data about the Earth's surface is collected through sensors and instruments on satellites, aircraft, and drones. This invaluable information provides insights into land cover changes and facilitates the sustainable management of resources such as pastures, forests, water, and soils.
Gladys Morales, IFAD's Global Head of Innovation, emphasizes the significance of this innovative partnership in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. By leveraging state-of-the-art space technology, IFAD and ESA aim to significantly enhance crop and livestock production, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation.
Building on a long-standing partnership dating back to 2010, IFAD and ESA have collaborated on numerous successful initiatives worldwide. These include land cover mapping in Madagascar, pasture health assessments in Kyrgyzstan, and identifying climate change vulnerability in Tajikistan. Current and upcoming projects encompass mapping livestock migratory routes and rangelands in Sudan, monitoring afforestation in Türkiye, and supporting IFAD's agroecology program.
Beyond the IFAD-ESA collaboration, IFAD is fostering additional partnerships to promote innovation. Strengthening ties with the WFP Innovation Accelerator will facilitate the scaling up of effective solutions, while collaborations with Global Action and the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability aim to empower youth-led innovation and capacity building.
With these transformative partnerships, IFAD is at the forefront of driving innovation and ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for small-scale farmers worldwide.
Source : wisconsinagconnection