Page 31 - AA 2024

Libya

Launch of a Geospatial Platform for supporting

sustainable cropland and water management in Libya

An essential tool for making
informed decisions in agricultural
development using advanced
information and data.
The Italian Agency for Development
Cooperation (AICS) and the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO), in cooperation
with the Ministry of Water Resources,
the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock, and the Libyan Centre for
Remote Sensing and Space Science
are launching the “MerWat-Libya”
Geospatial Platform. This platform
will provide geospatial information to in the land and water management, This is a significant step forward in
support water resource management agriculture and environment sectors. water, agriculture and environmental
in Libya and will enable national The presentation provided a clear management in Libya,” said M.
partners to access a vast amount overview of the structure, components A.Maki, adding that the platform is
of spatial information to support and usage guidelines of the platform, embedded in FAO’s open-access
sustainable water and crop production and was attended by representatives Hand in Hand (HIH) for evidence-
while considering available natural from institutions, academia, science based acceleration of agricultural
resources. and civil society. transformation towards food security.
The Geospatial platform is one Deputy Ambassador Riccardo The core team of national institutions,
of the main results of the project Villa, underscores the critical role including the Ministry of Water
“Monitoring, Evaluation and of the MerWat-Libya Geospatial Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture
Rationalization of Water Use for the Platform in strengthening the and Livestock, and the Libyan Remote
Agricultural Sector in Libya”, funded partnership between Italy and Sensing and Space Science, presented,
by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Libya. “This technological leap approved and signed a partnership
Affairs and International Cooperation marks a significant stride towards and collaboration agreement for the
(MAECI), through a 830,000 euros- shared goals of sustainability and Libyan Geospatial Platform to ensure
grant. This innovative tool serves resilience in agricultural practices. its sustainability.
as a hub for digital data exchange A demonstration of Italy’s leadership
and dialogue, underscoring the and commitment to leveraging A visit to the offices hosting the
growing importance of geospatial knowledge and technology for platform, including the Ministry
technology in modern agriculture. It impactful decisions in the agriculture of Water Resources, the Ministry
offers comprehensive capabilities for and environment sectors, in close of Agriculture and Livestock,
accessing, storing, processing, and collaboration with the UN and for the Libya Remote Sensing and Space
analyzing spatial data and it is essential direct benefit of partner countries.” Science and Fezzan, concluded
for making informed decisions in M. A. Maki Abdourahman, the formal launch of the MerWat-
agricultural development using representing FAO-Libya, underlined Libya Geospatial Platform. Looking
advanced geospatial information and the importance of the achievement of forward, the MerWat-Libya Geospatial
data. It also incorporates datasets this project. He highlighted the fruitful Platform aims to integrate emerging
on crop types, cultivated field cooperation with all national partners technologies, expand data resources,
boundaries, hydrological basins, and underlined that the MerWat- and enhance user experiences. This
and soil classification, empowering Libya Geospatial Platform is now commitment to innovation is expected
stakeholders with precise information operational as a national information to foster sustainable agricultural
for informed decision-making. platform. It supports sustainable land practices, improve water resource
During the launch event, the and water management by providing management, and contribute to
MerWat-Libya Geospatial Platform access to information on crop and Libya’s environmental and economic
was presented to key stakeholders water use and sustainable practices. development.
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