AFSIS

Kick-Off Meeting & Project Steering Committee for Pilot Project on Strategic Crop Forecasting System in Indonesia

Update by Webadmin 2024-04-30 09:00:01

On 21 February 2024, AFSIS Secretariat attended the online Kick-off Meeting and Project Steering Committee which was conducted in collaboration with the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS), the Center for Agricultural Data and Information System (CADIS) from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Indonesia and EGIS Korea company limited (EGIS) under the Establishing Real-Time ASEAN Food Security Information System(AFSIS) and Development of Human Resources 3^rd Phase – Pilot Project on strategic crop forecasting system for food security in Indonesia.

On this occasion, Mr. Roby Darmawan, Director of CADIS, delivered the opening remarks. Ms. Hwang Young Ki, the Director of EPIS, and Mr. Charapon Chantorn, the Deputy AFSIS Manager, jointly delivered a special message to mark the successful completion of the 1st-period project. They also extended their encouragement to the team and PMC (EGIS Consortium), urging them for a positive and collaborative environment as they embark on the second phase of the project in Indonesia.

The objectives of this meeting were to share the implementation results of the 1st-period project such as data collection by drone, Satellite data analysis by using sentinel applied to big data analysis and forecasting model, Crop Characteristics by using the various formulas. Furthermore, the meeting discussed key findings and tasks and also made suggestions for planning and improving the project in the 2nd period of the Real-Time AFSIS project in Indonesia in 2024The meeting ended with all the details being effectively discussed and agreed upon mutually by all parties involved.

Flooding in Malaysia and Southern Thailand

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.

Tropical Cyclones Encountering Philippines and Elsewhere

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.

Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit Working Group (SAWG) in the APRSAF-30 meeting

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.

Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Eruption, Indonesia On 3 November 2024

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.