27 July 2017: This update focuses on the progress towards and challenges to climate-smart agriculture (CSA), as highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). It also discusses the role of satellites in monitoring, for agriculture, and beyond.

The 2017 National US Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Satellite Conference highlighted the important contributions of satellites, including for agriculture, emphasizing that they are making unprecedented advances in weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate monitoring. The Satellite Conference convened in New York, US, from 17-20 July 2017. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) President David Grimes used the opportunity to note that “satellite Earth observation is critical to inform our understanding and actions with respect to our environment, climate and weather and to meet our global commitments on climate change and sustainable development.” [2017 National NOAA Satellite Conference Website] [WMO Press Release]

Satellite Earth observation is critical to inform our understanding and actions with respect to our environment, said WMO President David Grimes.

FAO and the European Commission’s JRC issued a Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) Special Alert No. 340 concerning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR), warning that prolonged dry weather is threatening the country’s 2017 main season food crop production. [GIEWS Special Alert No. 340] [FAO Press Release]

The CGIAR Research Program on CCAFS published its March 2017 Climate-Smart Agriculture in Southeast Asia Notes (CSA SEA Notes) newsletter, outlining strategies for addressing climate change in Viet Nam and the role of social learning in CSA dissemination, among others. [CSA SEA Notes March 2017] [Publication Landing Page]

CCAFS conducted knowledge-sharing workshops in My Loi Climate-Smart Village (CSV) in Viet Nam’s Ha Tinh province from May to July 2017, providing an opportunity for farmers, community members and local leaders to share lessons learned concerning food security, climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, and to discuss future opportunities for expanding climate-smart practices throughout the region and beyond. [CCAFS Press Release on Scaling Up CSA] [CCAFS Press Release on Spreading CSA]

More than 200 farming households enrolled in Index Based Flood Insurance (IBFI) in Bihar, India, developed by IWMI of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), CCAFS and partners. IWMI will regularly monitor the water levels and satellite images to better coordinate with the local insurance company on the settlement of claims. [WLE Press Release]