A Framework for Earth Observations Based National and Regional Agriculture Monitoring

Monitoring agriculture in important for food security and measure progress towards Zero Hunger SDG-2. Without significant investments and technology adoption realizing functioning and robust (both data basis and human capacity) is unattainable for many developing countries. I present a framework for Earth-Observations based agriculture monitoring developed over years of implementing several national agriculture monitoring systems in Eastern Africa under the GEOGLAM umbrella. The framework can inform structured and systematic country capacity development programs enabling leap in agriculture monitoring by leveraging existing and best available data-cubes, country structures including with extension agents at various administrative levels, capacities with the implementing ministry, and partner agencies.

The framework has been implemented in various countries with varied agricultural landscapes and administrative processes, demonstrating its adaptability. I also show examples from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mali that are at different stages of implementing this framework. This framework can be used to i. identify EO-data so, ii. to leverage traditional and ongoing monitoring activities, projects and development partners, and iii. to provide guidelines (steps and phases) to realize a functioning EO-enhanced agricultural monitoring system. Developing national systems is phased, aiming to establish a data-driven logical design process that starts with an inventory of available data and ends with a clear feedback process.