ESCAP has initiated a project to enhance the capacity of Central Asian countries to use Earth Observation and geospatial tools with statistical data for drought and crop monitoring. Leveraging the Regional Drought Mechanism, this project aims to help Central Asian countries utilize recent advances in space technology and geospatial data for drought management, and to facilitate timely access to space-derived data, regional expertise, and resources.
The project, supported by the Russian Federation, will focus on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It will leverage regional expertise and partner with local institutions to develop an operational drought monitoring system and a cloud-based crop monitoring system in the context of the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action on Space Applications for Sustainable Development (2018-2030). The project will support the three countries in addressing the barriers to effectively using EO and geospatial tools, including limited technical expertise, infrastructure constraints, and restricted access to advanced data-sharing platforms. In Kyrgyzstan, the project will build on the activities and achievements of the Central Asia Drought Information System (CADIS) pilot project implemented by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations. The project will develop a publication on good practices of the use of space applications for drought and crop monitoring incorporating experience in the target countries.