On August 13, 2021, the Islamic Organization for Food Security gathered working meeting with representatives of the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and the Aerospace industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan to discuss the use of data from space remote sensing system and high-precision satellite navigation system.
Deputy Chairman of the Aerospace Committee Mr. Malik Olzhabekov have attended the meeting, as well as experts from the Aerospace Committee, “Kazakstan Garysh Sapary” JSC and “Republican Center for Space Communication” JSC. The meeting was facilitated by Director of Programs & Projects Office Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid.
During the meeting areas of application of satellite data in agriculture were discussed and presented, including programs of monitoring of water resources, as well as crop, pasture, forest, flood, land use and subsurface use monitoring.
Dr. Ismail noted that today the IOFS programs provide for comprehensive measures and the creation of a locust monitoring map and a reliable early warning system for timely response to locust infestations and pest control is one of the main directions in the transboundary pest control program. Work is also under way to establish and maintain databases. IOFS innovative ideas include the use of big data analysis and artificial intelligence, including for the creation and development of a map for locust monitoring and forecasting in real time.
During the meeting, Mr. Malik Olzhabekov proposed to discuss the possibility of starting work on a programme of monitoring locust infestations in separate regions as a first step.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to identify issues, including technical ones, as well as data necessary for monitoring within the next week.
