The ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) has commended the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other space agencies for the successful implementation of the SAFE Agromet Project, which enhances agricultural information services in the region.
About AFSIS & SAFE Agromet Project
AFSIS
- It is a project led by Thailand to provide reliable food security information across ASEAN.
SAFE Agromet Project:
- It was established by the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency as Part of the Space Applications for Environment (SAFE) initiative,
- Objective: Utilize Earth observation satellites for monitoring environmental changes and climate-related issues.
- Launched in 2018 as a multilateral project in collaboration with ISRO, JAXA (Japan), and GISTDA (Thailand).
- It aims to share agrometeorological (Agromet) data to improve regional agriculture information services.
ISRO’s Contribution to SAFE Agromet Project (2020-2024)
ISRO as Project Lead
- Along with JAXA and GISTDA, ISRO provided validated space-based Agromet information, including data on extreme weather events like floods and droughts.
- Supported monthly Rice Crop Outlook (RGO) activities in Asia.
Satellite Data & Validation
- Developed and validated Agromet products such as:
- Land Surface Temperature (LST)
- Rainfall / Precipitation
- Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
- Compared ISRO and JAXA’s satellite data with GISTDA’s in-situ data for accuracy.
Capacity Building
- ISRO conducted online training for officials from Nine ASEAN countries on utilizing satellite-derived Agromet data for AFSIS’s Rice Growing Outlook (RGO).
- Training was conducted using ISRO’s VEDAS portal.
Global Recognition
The SAFE Agromet Project has been recognized in:
- GEOGLAM’s Guidance Document on best practices for capacity development in agricultural monitoring.
- UN ESCAP’s 2024 Report on Geospatial Practices for Sustainable Development in East and North-East Asia.