The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) organised a training session to provide an overview of the INternational Asian Harvest mOnitoring system for Rice (INAHOR) application. This session held during APRSAF-29 on 18th September 2023, highlighted the promising capabilities of space technology in mapping rice planted areas and management practices across the ASEAN region.
Part of the Sustainable Agricultural Forecasting and Early Warning in the ASEAN Region (SAFER) project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF/Japan), the INAHOR training session highlighted the importance of leveraging innovation to address pressing agricultural challenges. As a component of the “Rice Monitoring Project” under the APRSAF/Space Applications for Environment (SAFE) initiative, the training aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to utilise INAHOR for agricultural mapping and statistics improvement.
Building upon previous training initiatives, such as the session on “Satellite-Derived Rice Planted Area Data” jointly held with AFSIS in November 2022, the INAHOR training emphasised the continuity of knowledge transfer in advancing agricultural practices. Looking ahead, AFSIS and JAXA plan to conduct further in-person training programs on similar topics in November/December 2023, highlighting the commitment to continuous learning and capacity-building in the region.
The training sessions delved into the intricacies of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, which forms the basis of INAHOR’s capabilities. Participants gained insights into radar interactions with ground cover, especially in rice fields, and learned about the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2).
The integration of INAHOR with cloud computing platforms like Google Earth Engine (GEE) was a focal point of the training, highlighting its potential to streamline data collection and processing for country-level or regional assessments. This integration showcased INAHOR’s customisation and working mechanisms, offering a comprehensive solution for efficient agricultural monitoring and management.
By harnessing the power of space technology for rice monitoring and accurate statistics generation, decision-makers are empowered to enhance food security, drive policy effectiveness, and foster sustainable agricultural development. The INAHOR training session represents a significant step forward in leveraging innovation to address pressing agricultural challenges and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future in ASEAN.