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.
One of the key sessions, Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit (SAWG), aimed to promote and facilitate the use of space-based systems, such as Earth observation and navigation satellites, in conjunction with ground-based information. This approach seeks to address a wide range of common social issues in the region while fostering sustainable cooperation between space agencies, stakeholders, development aid organizations, and end-users.
During the SAWG session, Dr. Sumanya Ngandee delivered a presentation focused on the Satellite Applications for Crop Area Estimation and Growing Conditions for the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS).
She outlined the role of the Rice Growing Outlook (RGO) activities and the use of the INAHOR system (International Asian Harvest mOnitoring system for Rice) for estimating rice planted areas, which is a critical tool for tracking agricultural trends in the region. Her presentation also highlighted collaborations with key organizations, including JAXA, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), RESTEC (Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan) and GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency)
Furthermore, she emphasized the critical role of remote sensing technologies in providing accurate agricultural information to support food security decision-making. She also underscored the importance of capacity building in ASEAN region, such as workshops on rice mapping using the INAHOR system, which are essential for empowering local stakeholders to make data-driven decisions.
Her presentation highlighted not only the technological advances in satellite applications but also the vital need for regional cooperation and knowledge exchange she also expressed deep gratitude to the organizations involved in the SAFE Agromet Project, which aims to integrate satellite data and advance the use of remote sensing technologies into agricultural decision-making processes, ultimately strengthening food security in the region to ensure sustainable food security in ASEAN nations. The ongoing collaborations reflect a shared commitment to addressing common agricultural challenges through space-based solutions and human resource development in the use of satellite-derived agricultural information.
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 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.
On November 12, 2024, Dr. Sumanya Nagdee, AFSIS Manager, participated in the Completion and Handover Ceremony for the project "Establishing Real-Time ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and Development of Human Resources 3rd Phase – Pilot Project on Strategic Crop Forecasting System for Food Security in Indonesia." The event, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, was supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea and This meeting was chaired by Ms. Intan Rahayu, Director of the Center of Agricultural Data and System Information (CADIS) under Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture, and Mr. An Jaerok, Vice President of EPIS from South Korea, along with representatives from various sectors.
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