Task Group 5 (TG5) – Asia RiCE (Agriculture and Food Security) Meeting which was a sectoral meeting under the 15th Asia-Oceania GEO (AOGEO) Symposium was held as an online meeting on 12 September 2022.
There were 19 participants from GEOGLAM, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Geo-Informatics and Space Tech Development Agency (GISTDA) Thailand, Asia Disaster Prediction Center (ADPC) Thailand, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Philippines, University of Tokyo, Japan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC), The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Japan, and AFSIS Secretariat which the representatives were Dr.Waraporn Saelee, AFSIS Manager and Ms. Prodpran Lomthong, Project Coordinator staff had attended the meeting.
The TG5 meeting in AOGEO was organized annually with the objective to discuss the way forward to make full use of earth observation technologies (such as satellites) for agricultural production, particularly rice in the Asia-Pacific region, and a better outlook for regional food security and climate resilience.
During the meeting, Dr. Waraporn Saelee had the honor to present AFSIS project and the implementations in Rice Growing Outlook (RGO) activity which AFSIS has supported as an information hub to Asia-RiCE on GEOGLAM. Furthermore, Dr. Waraporn also shared the recommendation to keep continuous dialog with space community and related agencies for the use of satellite-derived agricultural information through human resource development activities.
The meeting ended successfully with great collaboration from all participants. The output in TG5 will be reflected to GEOGLAM for the G20 action plan and works in international and regional organizations.
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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