Equipping researchers with tools for geospatial and remote sensing data analysis

A recent capacity-building exercise conducted in Nigeria trained a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the use of remote sensing in their respective areas of work. Remote sensing technology – a rapid and efficient approach to estimate croplands, cropping intensity, land use and land cover changes – has several applications in agricultural research.

The sessions involved introduction of the concepts of remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS) and Google Earth Engine (GEE), along with several applications for which these modern tools are used for agriculture at ICRISAT. The participants received hands-on training on using these technologies, and performed a ground data collection exercise. The use of remote sensing imagery for land use/land cover mapping and monitoring using time series data was highlighted.