How can space help us improve food security?

The Development Podcast, produced by the World Bank, interviewed Assistant Professor Catherine Nakalembe, director of NASA Harvest's Africa Program, about how satellites are helping to change the way data is gathered to fight the global food crisis.

Nakalembe explains that by utilizing satellite data, she and her team translate satellite data into into effective policy and programs, allowing countries to better prepare for and respond to food crises. This includes early warning systems for droughts and floods, among other environmental threats that impact food production.

She also talks about how work in Uganda has contributed to the development of disaster risk financing programs, which help predict and respond to droughts. These programs support community-based projects that create alternative sources of income, allowing people to purchase food even in the face of extreme weather events.

Nakalembe emphasizes that it's not just about collecting data but also demonstrating its tremendous potential to increase resilience and food security for vulnerable communities.

See an excerpt below: