An online mapping initiative which has catalyzed knowledge sharing and collaboration across CGIAR Research Centers has won a top international award.
From the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), comes news that RTBMaps, a web-based geographic information systems (GIS) tool, has been selected from more than 100,000 entries to receive a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the 2013 Esri International User Conference. The prize is given to user sites around the world in recognition of outstanding work with GIS technology.
RTB’s award-winning mapping initiative, which embodies the cross-cutting approach of the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs), is the result of collaboration between the following members of the CGIAR Consortium: the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Bioversity International.
Designed as a platform to help scientists set priorities for interventions to improve production of cassava, yam, potato, sweet potato, banana and plantain, RTBMaps allows users to overlay 25 sets of variables onto a world map. These cover a wide range of factors related to production, as well as constraints and social indicators associated with RTB crops.
Information mapped by the tool, which uses recently developed cloud technology for GIS, includes data on pests and diseases, evapotranspiration rates, vulnerability to failed harvests, fertilizer application rates and the incidence of malnutrition in children. Simple and free to use, RTBMaps requires no special training or technology other than access to the Internet.
In common with a growing number of CGIAR products, it is available on an open access basis, reflecting the international research organization’s strong commitment to making its tools and data freely available. “What’s really cool is that you have all the layers available on the cloud, for anyone to access, free-of-charge,” said CIAT’s Glenn Hyman, who helped to develop the CGIAR mapping tool. “To use the maps and run your own analysis, all anyone needs is a web browser. From the point of view of research centers with CGIAR, RTBMaps brings GIS capability out of the laboratory and directly onto the desks of scientists.”
Layers of visual data
A CIAT blog explains some of the uses of the mapping tool, which visualizes complex data to help pinpoint where action is needed and analyze options for using roots, tubers and bananas to improve food security, nutrition and income. A click of a mouse can highlight where in the world the cassava mealybug is causing problems for farmers.
The data, which is based on peer-reviewed research, so far includes climate information from 10,000 weather stations, crop distribution maps from 25,000 administrative districts and thousands of data points for pests and diseases. More layers will be added as the tool develops.
The online atlas is hosted by the CGIAR Consortium for Spatial Information (CGIAR-CSI). A cross-cutting CGIAR network, CSI brings together scientists interested in GIS and other geospatial techniques from a range of CGIAR centers and programs, promoting knowledge sharing on developments in this sector and applications for agriculture and natural resource management.
Esri, the software company whose ArcGIS website provides the platform for RTBMaps and other CGIAR collaborative efforts, recently signed a new 3-year agreement with CGIAR. The deal, negotiated by the CGIAR Consortium’s Shared Services, means that all CGIAR researchers will be able to continue using Esri tools to develop innovative solutions such as RTBMaps.
The RTB website describes plans for developing RTBMaps further, to increase its reach and its range of uses. The CGIAR GIS team that designed it is planning to add applications for simple functions such as printing, or downloading maps for use in presentations. The team has also developed a priority setting application that allows users to weight the importance of different criteria suited to their own specific areas of interest and create tailor-made maps.
Henry Juarez, who heads the GIS laboratory at CIP, said the RTBMaps initiative has led to new levels of knowledge sharing at the CGIAR research centers involved. “This is the first time I’ve been connected with the GIS specialists at the other Research Centers. I didn’t realize that there was so much information available,” he said. “One of the great things about this project is that it has gotten the Research Centers involved in RTB to share their data.”
More information:
RTBMaps website (RTB)
Online mapping tool for analysis and planning receives international award (RTB)
RTBMaps: more than just eye candy for scientists (CIAT)
Interactive tool maps out world of bananas, potatoes and cassava (FreshFruitPortal.com)
Photo used is a screenshot from RTBMaps website