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The role of Space Technologies for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development

The role of Space Technologies for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development. High level conference “Space for the African Citizen” 16 September 2010, Brussels, Belgium Menghestab Haile, World Food Programme. Main Causes of Food Insecurity and Underdevelopment.

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The role of Space Technologies for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development

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  1. The role of Space Technologies for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development High level conference “Space for the African Citizen” 16 September 2010, Brussels, Belgium Menghestab Haile, World Food Programme

  2. Main Causes of Food Insecurity and Underdevelopment • Heavy dependency on traditional rain fed agriculture (over 70% of the population) • Droughts, floods, land degradation and CC • High disease burden (Malaria etc, HIV AIDS) • Lack of rural infrastructure and high cost of transport • Lack of agricultural marketing strategies • Conflicts and civil strife • Lack appropriate risk management systems • Lack of reliable information and data

  3. The vicious circle of land degradation and poverty

  4. Rehabilitation of degraded hillsides to productive woodlots Ground water recharged and base flow enhanced Kids swimming in shallow well after the gulley is rehabilitated

  5. Some of the challenges for economic growth and Development • Lack the necessary resources to increase agricultural productivity and increase rural income; • Lack effective strategies and resources for risk management; and • Lack institutional capacity and infrastructure to generate and share reliable information Resources, Risk Management and Information

  6. Opportunities for economic growth and Development • Need to shift from the thinking of poverty reduction to economic transformation • Growth Opportunities in the rural sector • Room for Technical Innovation • Develop Strategic Partnerships (public/private) • Aspire for mutual benefits (for Africa and Europe) • The importance of space tools and technology • Recognize the important role of the private sector both in African and Europe The private sector and technology

  7. Generating enabling information to support Development Using advances in satellite technologies and GIS effectively support sustainable development • Satellite applications for enhanced environmental assessment and agricultural monitoring • Satellite applications for effective communication

  8. Relevant Space Technology Applications Remote Sensing Applications • Baseline mapping for planning – land use, land cover, agro-ecological zones, cropping patterns, dominant crops • Agricultural Monitoring - Area cultivated, vegetation status, Rainfall and yield indicators • Risk assessment for risk management – flooded area, drought affected area, etc • Infrastructure assessment for humanitarian response – roads, airports, railways, markets

  9. Relevant Space Technology Applications (2) Satellite supported communications (Mobile phones and GPS applications) • Market information (farmers have improved access to market information) • Improved education delivery • Health delivery • Disaster response • Public information

  10. EU has initiatives to support Africa to use space related applications EU is putting significant resources for Africa GMES and Africa is one of the initiatives Some of the projects being implemented in Africa include • GARNET-E (led by Infoterra) • GMFS (led by VITO) • ISAC (led by VITO) EU is encouraging participation of African private sector The need to create an enabling environment to support both African and European private sector

  11. Conclusion • Satellite technologies can create enabling environment for economic transformation • EU and other donors are supporting relevant initiatives in Africa • European private sector is encouraged to play a role in implementing the various initiatives • Necessary support and guarantee needs to be provided to support the private sector to innovate • Need to develop enabling environment for African and European private sector to collaborate • European private sector need to see Africa as an opportunity for making business EU grants should only facilitate business

  12. Remarks • Policy makers in Africa may not be aware of the availability of satellite technologies that can support their development efforts • We need to engage with governments of developing countries at appropriate levels • New technologies can give Africa a jump start in several sectors including the communication sector • We need to shift our thinking of Africa as a business opportunity not just a continent dependent on foreign aid • The EU needs to be commended for giving attention to Africa (for example GMES and Africa) • Africa must make appropriate decisions as it gets enhanced attention from many parts of the world

  13. Thank you for your attention Menghestab Haile Policy Advisor WFP Liaison Office to the AU and ECA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Menghestab.haile @wfp.org Tel +251 115515188 ext 2255 Mob +251 911505072 Fax +251 115154988

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