Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (FMIST), Chief Uche Nnaji has emphasized the need to leverage on Satellite Technology such as the the Earth observation satellite in enhancing Food security and Agricultural productivity for the sustainable development of our Nation. He made this statement in Abuja at a four-day Regional workshop for West Africa on the CropWatch initiative themed Advancing Satellite-Based Crop Monitoring, to increase resilience in the face of global food insecurity.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (FMIST), Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye said, the workshop aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2 as well as the nation’s mandate in ensuring food security and liberating Nigerians from poverty and hunger.
He added that the CropWatch program provides a platform for mitigating climate change challenges as it affects the Agricultural sector and food sustainability. The Honorable Minister commended the Aerospace Information Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), and other partners for making Nigeria the regional host of the Cropwatch center in Africa.
In his address, the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said the Agency is committed to engaging cutting edge technologies to transform agriculture and ensure food security.
Dr. Adepoju while appreciating the team from AIR/CAS pointed that Space Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) plays a crucial role in transforming agriculture and enhancing food security for the socioeconomic development of the country. He added that the integration of Space technology and innovation has significantly impacted agriculture which aligns with NASRDA's mandate to use space based technology for sustainable agriculture aimed at customizing the CropWatch System for Nigeria to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2) which focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
The Director General while thanking the team for the infrastructural development support, reassured them that the Agency will provide competent security and personnel to man the project as part of NASRDA's contribution to the collaboration.
Speaking earlier, Ms. Haihua Gong, Director, Division of Asian and African Affairs, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded her, adding that the gesture exemplified the genuine desire of the Agency to engender effective collaboration with the international community.
She added that the theme for the workshop is timely and the mission of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), as an international Science organization is to contribute to the United Nation’s s(UN) model, by promoting and supporting Science Technology and Innovation for the attainment of the zero hunger goal.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the plaque by the representative of the Minister establishing Nigeria as the first Center for Crop Watch in the West African sub region.
Below are pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Witten by: Grace Jacob
Photo Credit: Ibrahim Zakari
Media and Corporate Communications NASRDA.
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