GIS and Remote Sensing in Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture Course

Introduction

The GIS and Remote Sensing in Climate Change, Food Security, and Agriculture Course is designed to build the capacity of professionals, researchers, and policymakers to apply geospatial technologies in addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, agricultural sustainability, and food security. As climate variability increasingly threatens crop productivity, food systems, and rural livelihoods, the need for timely, location-specific data and insights has never been greater. This course offers an integrated approach to using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote Sensing (RS) for climate-smart agriculture and food security planning.

Participants will gain a strong foundation in the principles of GIS and RS and how these tools are applied to monitor environmental changes, assess agricultural vulnerability, and support adaptation strategies. The course will explore how satellite imagery and spatial analysis can be used to detect land cover change, analyze weather patterns, map drought risk, and model agricultural productivity. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of geospatial data with climate models, field observations, and socio-economic data to support evidence-based decision-making.

Through hands-on exercises and case studies, participants will learn how to use tools such as QGIS, Google Earth Engine, and open-access remote sensing platforms to monitor crop performance, map land suitability, assess food availability, and plan sustainable agricultural interventions. They will also be introduced to mobile data collection technologies and cloud-based platforms for real-time data gathering and analysis, enabling more responsive and targeted actions in the face of climate risks.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the technical and analytical skills to apply GIS and Remote Sensing in developing solutions for climate-resilient agriculture, food systems monitoring, and informed policy development. The course is ideal for those working in agriculture, environmental management, disaster risk reduction, rural development, and climate change adaptation initiatives at local, national, and international levels.

Duration

10 Days

Who should attend?

This course is suitable to:

·       Agricultural officers, agronomists, and extension workers involved in crop monitoring, land management, and agricultural planning.

·       Climate change professionals and environmental scientists seeking to integrate geospatial technologies into climate risk assessments and adaptation planning.

·       Food security and nutrition specialists working with governments, NGOs, or international agencies to design, implement, and monitor food security programs.

·       GIS and Remote Sensing analysts and technicians supporting projects in natural resource management, land use planning, and rural development.

·       Researchers and academics in agriculture, environmental studies, climate science, and spatial analysis who wish to strengthen their practical geospatial skills.

·       Disaster risk management and humanitarian response practitioners involved in early warning systems, vulnerability mapping, and resilience planning.

·       Development planners and policy makers who require spatial evidence to support climate-resilient agricultural strategies and food systems governance.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the participant should be able to:

·       Develop a foundational understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) concepts, principles, tools, and applications relevant to climate change, agriculture, and food security.

·       Apply GIS and RS technologies to design and implement large-scale early warning systems for monitoring agricultural risks, food insecurity, and climate-induced hazards.

·       Use participatory GIS (PGIS) approaches to engage local communities in spatial assessments, integrating indigenous knowledge with geospatial data for more inclusive and informed decision-making.

·       Acquire practical skills in processing and analyzing satellite imagery to monitor key Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) indicators such as land degradation, vegetation cover, rainfall variability, and drought severity.

·       Utilize mobile data collection tools (e.g., ODK, KoBoToolbox) for real-time field data gathering during climate, agricultural, and food security assessments.

·       Design and manage geospatial projects that integrate remote sensing data, GPS-based field observations, and socio-economic datasets for comprehensive spatial analysis.

·       Assess the availability, accessibility, and quality of spatial data, and understand the role and importance of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in supporting collaborative decision-making across organizations involved in CCAFS efforts.

·       Understand key concepts, methodologies, and frameworks in food security analysis, including the four pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability.

·       Understand the scientific foundations of climate change, its drivers, indicators, and observed and projected impacts on agriculture and rural livelihoods.

·       Explore agricultural systems, practices, and trends in the context of climate change and sustainability, with an emphasis on land use, crop performance, and resource efficiency.

·       Analyze the interconnections between climate change, agricultural productivity, and food security, and explore the risks, vulnerabilities, and adaptation pathways for affected communities.

·       Apply GIS and Remote Sensing as effective decision support tools for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions in climate change adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

·       Use spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA) and GIS-based modeling techniques to inform policy and programmatic planning for food security interventions at local, regional, and national levels.

·       Strengthen participants’ capacity to communicate geospatial insights through map-based storytelling, thematic maps, and data-driven visualizations tailored for decision-makers and stakeholders.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundational Concepts and Thematic Frameworks

• Introduction to climate change, agriculture, and food security: definitions, pillars, and global relevance
• Exploring the interlinkages between climate change, agriculture, and food security (CCAFS)
• Key concepts in geospatial technologies (GIS and Remote Sensing) in the context of CCAFS
• GIS project design, setup, and workflow for agriculture and climate-related projects
• Overview of international and national policy frameworks (UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, SDGs, national climate policies)

Module 2: GIS Data Sources and System Setup

• Sources of spatial and climate data for CCAFS (FAO, NASA, WFP, USGS, SERVIR, local institutions)
• Structure of spatial data: raster, vector, tabular, and metadata
• Accessing and integrating data from multiple sources (satellite imagery, GPS, mobile surveys, databases)
• Building and managing geospatial databases for agriculture and climate data
• Introduction to spatial data infrastructure (SDI) for data sharing and interoperability

Module 3: GIS Software and Spatial Analysis Tools

• Introduction to open-source and proprietary GIS platforms (QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine)
• Practical orientation: map layout creation, symbology, georeferencing, projection systems
• Geospatial analysis for agriculture and food security: buffers, overlays, spatial queries
• Thematic mapping: food insecurity zones, drought-prone areas, agro-ecological zones
• Use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for agricultural planning and vulnerability mapping

Module 4: Remote Sensing for Climate and Agricultural Monitoring

• Principles and platforms of remote sensing: MODIS, Landsat, Sentinel, SPOT
• Satellite image acquisition and pre-processing techniques
• Image interpretation for agricultural and climate indicators
• Image classification (supervised and unsupervised) for land use/land cover change
• Change detection techniques for monitoring environmental and agricultural shifts
• Time-series analysis of climate and vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, EVI)

Module 5: GPS and Mobile Data Collection for CCAFS

• Introduction to GPS technology: types, configurations, and accuracy
• Capturing and downloading GPS data from field surveys
• Integrating GPS data into GIS platforms for analysis and mapping
• Mobile data collection using ODK, KoBoToolbox, Survey123
• Best practices in designing field forms and syncing with GIS databases

Module 6: Participatory GIS and Community-Based Approaches

• Introduction to Participatory GIS (PGIS) methods for local knowledge integration
• Community vulnerability mapping and participatory climate risk analysis
• Use of GIS in building hazard-aware and resilient farming communities
• Mobile participatory mapping and stakeholder engagement
• Community-led climate prediction and local adaptation planning

Module 7: GIS and Remote Sensing in Climate Risk and Agricultural Planning

• Mapping and monitoring climate hazards: drought, flood, heat stress
• GIS in climate modeling and prediction (e.g., using the Climate Analogue Tool)
• Crop modeling and agricultural yield forecasting using geospatial tools
• Climate suitability mapping for crops under different scenarios
• Application of remote sensing in monitoring soil moisture and evapotranspiration

Module 8: Food Security Analysis and Geospatial Visualization

• Frameworks and indicators in food security assessment (IPC, FEWS NET)
• Use of satellite imagery in early warning systems and food insecurity detection
• Visualization of vulnerability and food insecurity data (dashboard, story maps)
• Mapping food production trends, market access, and infrastructure
• Spatial analysis for targeting agricultural aid and food distribution

Module 9: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Geospatial Innovations

• Introduction to Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and spatial tools for CSA planning
• Site-specific management using prescription maps and yield potential analysis
• Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/Drones) for precision agriculture
• Machine learning and AI in agricultural remote sensing (crop type classification, anomaly detection)
• Integration of IoT and real-time sensor data with GIS for monitoring soil and weather conditions

Module 10: Project Design, Communication, and Data Ethics

• Designing and implementing your own GIS-based CCAFS project
• Ethical considerations in geospatial data collection and sharing
• Open data principles and licensing for agricultural and climate datasets
• Communicating geospatial findings through maps, reports, and policy briefs
• Developing web-based maps and interactive dashboards for stakeholders

Module 11: Land Degradation and Desertification Monitoring

• Mapping and monitoring land degradation trends using time-series satellite data
• Identifying drivers and indicators of desertification (soil erosion, vegetation loss, salinity)
• Use of indices such as NDVI, SAVI, and BSI for land condition assessment
• Application of UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) framework with geospatial tools
• Restoration prioritization using spatial models

Module 12: Climate Finance, Carbon Accounting, and MRV Systems

• GIS-based Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for climate actions in agriculture
• Mapping carbon sequestration potential (e.g., agroforestry, conservation agriculture)
• Tracking GHG emissions from agricultural practices
• Spatial tracking of climate adaptation and mitigation investments
• Linking geospatial evidence to climate financing mechanisms (e.g., GCF, REDD+)

Module 13: Early Warning Systems and Crisis Response

• Building spatial early warning systems for food insecurity and climate hazards
• Real-time monitoring using satellite and ground sensor integration
• Spatial thresholds and triggers for emergency response (IPC Phase analysis, FEWS NET)
• Mobile alert systems and geospatial risk communication
• Case studies: drought response planning, locust invasion mapping, food crisis dashboards

 Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808 

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.