In a bid to combat the escalating challenge of land degradation in the Eastern Africa Region, the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) and GEO-MIK Consultant, under the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa programme, conducted a 3-day online training workshop on the Development of Environmental Monitoring Tools for Land Degradation Service using Earth Observation (EO) Data, Innovative Techniques, and End-user Knowledge in the East Africa Region . Held on the 20th and 22nd of February 2024, this training aimed to equip participants with the expertise to employ Earth Observation (EO) data and innovative techniques for effective land degradation monitoring and mitigation and provide knowledge and technical skills in land degradation analysis technologies and services to promote a more sustainable long-term management of land resources in the Eastern Africa region.
The training workshop served as a platform to enlighten participants on the intricate dynamics of land degradation. By delving into concepts such as forecasting, assessment, and analysis using EO datasets, participants gained invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience with land degradation service tools, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practical application by encompassing topics such as GIS and Remote Sensing, soil salinity analysis, and economic evaluation of land degradation costs.
The breadth of the training's target audience speaks volumes about its significance and potential impact. Government departments, local authorities, land users, NGOs, and the scientific community at large converged to partake in this transformative initiative. By disseminating knowledge and expertise across diverse stakeholders, the training sought to catalyse tangible change in land management practices, thereby fostering sustainable development across the Eastern Africa region.
About GMES and Africa
The GMES & Africa (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa) Programme is a joint initiative co-financed by the European Commission and the African Union Commission. The objective of the GMES & Africa Programme is to address the growing needs of African countries to access and use Earth Observation (EO) data for the implementation of sustainable development policies across the continent. The programme is specifically designed to respond to African needs in water, natural resources, marine, and coastal areas, as well as address global needs to manage the environment, mitigate climate change, and ensure civil security. It is further designed to enable the implementation of the African Space Policy and Strategy, which is formulated to harness the continent’s capabilities in utilising space science and technology for economic growth and sustainable development.
About the RCMRD Consortium
RCMRD is the lead institution for one of the GMES and Africa consortia in the Eastern Africa region. The consortium addresses three service areas: Land Degradation Monitoring and Assessment
Wetland Monitoring and Assessment
Open Regional Reference Vector Database for Water and Agro-Ecological Zones.
In this programme, RCMRD is consolidating land degradation monitoring and assessment in 14 countries. This is achieved through the use of earth observation satellite technology to monitor drivers and trends in land degradation. The aim is to influence policy interventions towards land restoration. RCMRD Land Degradation Service aims to address SDG 15.3.1 on the proportion of land that is degraded over the total land area.
