The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has launched a 5-day training program on Agricultural Monitoring from Space, aiming to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through innovative space technology.
The training, officially opened by the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, emphasized the importance of capacity building in line with his 3-Point Agenda to drive research and development in Earth Observation applications.
Dr. Adepoju highlighted the agency’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in the African space sector, focusing on public-private partnerships and commercializing research outputs.
In a statement, Olayode Abdurasaq, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Director-General, emphasized that the program is a crucial step towards harnessing space technology for agricultural growth in Nigeria.
He stated, “This training is a part of NASRDA’s strategic efforts to support sustainable agricultural practices, enhance food security, and drive innovations that will position Nigeria at the forefront of space-based agricultural solutions in Africa.”
Dr. Godstime James, Director of Strategic Space Applications at NASRDA, reiterated the agency’s efforts to utilize space technology to enhance agricultural development. He thanked the sponsors whose support made the training possible and stressed the importance of collaboration in achieving NASRDA’s mission.
The training program, which attracted participants from diverse backgrounds and countries, is facilitated by Dr. Jeroen Degerick from VITO, Belgium, and Dr. Venus Valentijin from ITC, Netherlands. Dr. Valentijin expressed excitement about the program, promising a productive learning experience aimed at equipping participants with essential skills for agricultural monitoring from space.
Mrs. Rakiya Babamaji, Deputy Director, Strategic Space Applications, noted that the program aligned with Nigeria’s agricultural development goals, contributing to enhanced crop monitoring, food security, and sustainable growth in the sector.
The training covered critical topics such as crop yield forecasting, drought monitoring, and using satellite data to improve decision-making in agriculture. This initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for agricultural transformation, focusing on innovative solutions to boost food security and productivity.
By the end of the training, participants are expected to gain valuable insights into utilizing space technology to drive agricultural growth, enhancing Nigeria’s overall agricultural productivity and sustainability.
