Tools to facilitate analysis of geospatial and remote sensing data in Nigeria
Participants of the international course on Introduction to applications of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems at Kano. Photo: ICRISAT
Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools are being introduced to facilitate editing, processing and analyzing geospatial data.
A multidisciplinary team of 35 national researchers were trained on modern tools such as ERDASR 2015 and QGIS. Special emphasis was laid on using remote sensing imagery for crop dominance mapping and monitoring using time series data. Analysis of, and changes in, land use over time was also demonstrated.
Spatial modeling using multiple sources of information, especially the inclusion of socio-economic factors for identification of suitable sites for interventions and watershed prioritization was demonstrated. Participants also undertook a data collection field study to better understand the applications of the new tools and prepared a land use/land cover map of Kano (see map).
Participants undertook a data collection field study to better understand the applications of the new tools and prepared a land use / land cover map of Kano (see map).
Spatial modeling using multiple sources of information, especially the inclusion of socio-economic factors for identification of suitable sites for interventions and watershed prioritization was demonstrated. Participants were provided with copies of recommended reading material and relevant published papers.
The five day training was organized at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano in collaboration with ICRISAT, Kano led by Dr Hakeem Ajeigbe, Country Representative-Nigeria, ICRISAT,
Dr Anthony Whitbread, Research Program Director – Innovation Systems for the Drylands, ICRISAT and Dr Murali Krishna Gumma, Head – GIS & Remote Sensing Lab, ICRISAT.
The participants in the training included soil scientists, crop modelers, economists and geographers.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kano State, Prof Adamu Tanko, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Bayero University Kano (BUK). ICRISAT in collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, BUK, organized the training from 10-15 July.
Dr Murali Krishna Gumma, Head – GIS & Remote Sensing Lab, ICRISAT; Irshad Ahmed, Lead scientific officer, RS & GIS lab, ICRISAT; Ismail Rafi, Senior Associate GIS, ICRISAT; Dr Anthony Whitbread, Research Program Director – Innovation Systems for the Drylands, ICRISAT; Prof Jibrin M Jibrin and Dr Murtala M Badamasi, CDA, Bayero University Kano Nigeria were involved in making this course possible as part of the capacity building in geospatial tools.
This activity was undertaken as part of the CGIAR research program on Dryland Systems and ICRISAT-Nigeria office.
