As citizens of the world, we are all facing an extraordinary challenge. In the year 2050, an estimated 9 billion people need to be fed. Every single day. This challenge puts enormous pressure on the availability of water and fertile land. The Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) believes part of the solution lies in science and digital technology.
G4AW aims to provide the right information at the right time to the most important actors in the food production chain: farmers, fishermen and pastoralists. Food producers can help to improve and increase food production sustainable. And so, ensuring food security on a global scale.
Geodata, such as satellite and mobile data, can be converted to relevant information on climate, weather and hazards and even timely agricultural advice. Empowering food producers and other stakeholders in developing countries to make better decisions based on data. Also, micro-insurances and/or microloans combined with information services can help guarantee the continuity of food production and improve self-reliance.
G4AW is stimulating partnerships with a platform where public organisations, extension departments, research institutes, NGOs, farmer cooperatives, satellite data/service operators, the private (agricultural) sector and transmission operators can find each other. The G4AW programme promotes and supports private investments for large scale, demand driven and satellite based information services targeted at actors in the food production chain.
G4AW is a programme by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the policy priorities for food security and water, which is executed by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO).