The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has convened discussions
regarding the implementation of an Agriculture Earth Observation (EO) decision
support pilot project in Murang’a County. The meeting, led by Acting Director
General Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey, brought together KSA officials and
collaborating stakeholders to present a multi-phased pilot project designed to
unfold over the next year.
The ambitious pilot project will focus on critical
agricultural parameters such as Land Use Land Cover, crop-type mapping, crop
condition monitoring, and crop yield estimation. By harnessing
satellite-derived data, the initiative aims to develop a robust agricultural
decision support model. Once successful in Murang’a, KSA intends to explore the
possibility of extending the project to additional counties across Kenya,
aligning with the country’s broader mission of achieving food security through
innovative technological solutions.
During the meeting, Brig. Kipkosgey commended the
visionary leadership of Murang’a County Governor Dr. Irungu Kang'ata,
recognizing the county's efforts to transform into a model for utilizing
technology in development. He pointed out the immense potential of
space-derived data in providing critical insights into environmental
conditions, climate, and agricultural practices. By employing space technology,
decision-making in agriculture can be significantly enhanced, with precise data
available on crop health, yield predictions, and land management.
Governor Kang'ata also expressed gratitude to KSA for
selecting Murang’a County as the pilot site for this important project. He
highlighted the county's ongoing initiatives that could benefit from geospatial
data, affirming that Murang’a is well-prepared and eager for the implementation
of the pilot project.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
