The use of remote sensing data and meteorological information for food security monitoring, examples in east Africa

Abstract

Since 2001, the MARS Unit of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission has developed a system for crop monitoring and forecasting in food insecure regions. This communication first provides an overall description of the system and then focuses on one monthly bulletin prepared and published by FOOD-SEC action of the MARS Unit in East Africa. The main example is taken from Ethiopia. Basic data, models and information are presented as well as some important parameters for crop monitoring. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.