Large-scale crop monitoring using Earth observation is a complex and resource-intensive task that requires access to specialized tools. Despite the challenges, this technology has significant potential to improve food security planning and advance progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

The CropWatch Innovative Cooperation Program (CropWatch ICP) aims to provide developing countries with free and unlimited access to these technologies developed by AIR CAS, while training national experts to use and implement them in their home countries.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, faces the challenge of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity to meet growing demand while adapting to a changing climate. Under the coordination of UNCTAD, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that made it difficult to organize face-to-face training in 2021 and 2022,  significant progress  has been achieved by Nigeria under the CropWatch-ICP. However, further capacity building activities and model calibration efforts are needed to enhance the usability of the monitoring platform in Nigeria.

This on-job training is intended to enable Nigerian officers to acquire advanced skills in using crop monitoring to improve food security in Nigeria. After the ten days of training provided by AIR CAS’s experts, the Nigerian experts will be able to put the CropWatch Platform into use in their country, as well as to train local experts to use it. Participants will be given access to the technology (both during and after the programme) and will be provided with training to use it for Nigeria country analysis as part of February CropWatch bulletin to be released at the end of February. Additionally, trainees will be taught how to customize it to specific local requirements using the high-resolution Nigeria and Chinese satellite data.