On 31 July – 1 August 2023, the AFSIS Secretariat in collaboration with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR conducted the Workshop for the demonstration of INAHOR utilization for 2023 Rainy Season Rice in Vang Vieng, Lao PDR.
In the opening session, it was honored by Dr. Soulaphone Inthavong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, MAF of Lao PDR, to deliver the opening remark. While the representatives of the AFSIS Secretariat were Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager, and Mr. Miyake Yasuhiro, AFSIS Japanese Expert, who attended the aforesaid workshop.
The workshop was under the rice crop monitoring project (INAHOR activity) in the Asia Pacific Regional Space Forum (APRSAF) Space Applications for Environment (SAFE) initiative to promote rice planted area estimation using space-based technologies, with the objective to demonstrate the INAHOR utilization and develop the training data in Lao PDR for the whole country in 2023. The participants were officials from the Center for Agricultural Statistics (CAS), and the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR.
During the workshop, there was a session for making training data for 2023 rainy season rice which grid points in country areas will be judged on Google Earth Pro in consultation with the training tutors, CAS staff, and provincial staff. The INAHOR analysis results from this project will be provided to CAS for further implementation.
In addition, all outputs of this workshop will be implemented with the AFSIS project entitled “Project for Strengthening ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Function for Emergency" or SAFER project under its activity “Developing crop area estimation method using satellite image” which AFSIS also plans to conduct the training workshop related to INHOR activity this year.
In late November and early December 2024, Malaysia and southern Thailand experienced severe flooding and heavy rainfall, which caused widespread damage, including landslides and agricultural devastation. In Malaysia, 25 districts across seven states were severely impacted, with households evacuated and extensive flooding reported. Similarly, southern Thailand experienced heavy rains and flash flooding, particularly in provinces affecting over 136,000 households. The floods severely damaged agricultural sectors, with significant losses in paddy rice and other crops, amounting to millions of dollars in damages in both countries. In response, both nations initiated emergency measures, including providing aid and conducting damage assessments. Malaysia focused on intensive assistance to affected households, while Thailand mobilized a range of relief efforts, including specialized equipment and emergency vehicles, to support flood-stricken regions. The agricultural losses in both countries highlight the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and more resilient agricultural systems.
The tropical cyclones that impacted the Philippines in November 2024, including Yinxing, Oraji, Usagi, and Man-Yi, have caused widespread devastation across several provinces, resulting in heavy rainfall, severe winds, flooding, and significant agricultural damage. These storms have left communities grappling with extensive losses, including damaged crops, disrupted livelihoods, and displacement. Despite the severe impacts, the government of the Philippines, along with international aid from neighboring countries and global partners, has mobilized resources for relief and recovery. The ongoing efforts to assist those affected highlight the resilience of the Filipino people and the importance of continued preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
On 26-27 November 2024, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, the AFSIS Manager, participated in the 30th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-30), held in Perth, Australia. This event was co-organized by the Australian Space Agency (ASA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The forum's focus was to bring together stakeholders from various space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing regional issues through space-based solutions.
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 22:57 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, erupted on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, The eruption, lasting 24 minutes (1,450 seconds), was recorded with a massive amplitude of 47.3 mm. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, a strong eruption sent ash up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), affecting over 10,000 people. Smaller eruptions followed on November 5-6. In response, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the volcano’s alert status to “Awas” (Level IV), indicating a high danger level.
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