Stakeholders in Nigeria’s space and agricultural sectors have called for the use of accurate, reliable and timely satellite data to strengthen irrigation planning and address the country’s growing food security challenges.
The call was made during a three-day workshop organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), titled “Advancing Satellite-Based Tools to Map Irrigated Cropland in Nigeria.”
The event brought together experts, policymakers and development partners to chart a roadmap for integrating Earth observation technologies into Nigeria’s agricultural and irrigation development strategies.
Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju,
described irrigation as a key driver of year-round food production, stressing that effective planning and expansion depend on precise and up-to-date data obtainable through satellite-based tools.
He said the use of space technology would improve decision-making, optimise resource allocation and enhance national food security efforts.
“Through satellite-based tools, we are now able to map irrigated cropland at the national scale, monitor seasonal dynamics, assess cropping intensity and generate early warning insights to support informed decision-making for our farmers,” Adepoju said.
“These capabilities will enhance water resource management, improve agricultural productivity, guide infrastructure investment for government and the private sector, and strengthen national food security.”
NASRDA’s Director of Strategic Space Applications, Dr. Godstime James, noted that the workshop marked a significant step toward implementing the Irrigated Earth Observation Project.
He highlighted the irrigated area mapping tool developed in collaboration with international partners as a central focus of the initiative.
According to him, the project integrates high-resolution satellite imagery from Sentinel-1 and Landsat datasets with advanced machine learning techniques and field validation to generate reliable irrigated crop maps.
The data products, he said, will support River Basin Development Authorities, ministries, departments and agencies at both federal and state levels, as well as development partners and policymakers, in making informed decisions on irrigation expansion, monitoring and resource allocation.
Representatives of partner institutions, including Dr. Kyle Davis of the University of Delaware and Dr. Timothy Foster of the University of Manchester, underscored the importance of building robust data products and analytical tools to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security for Nigerian farmers.
Other stakeholders, including the Managing Director of Space in Africa, Temidayo Oniosun, and the Kabiyesi of Eti-Ori, Oba Oladikun Thompson, called for the democratisation of satellite data to ensure wider access and promote inclusive economic growth.
The Irrigated Earth Observation Project is being implemented by NASRDA in partnership with the University of Manchester, the University of Delaware, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Airbus.
Source: FRCN
