Prof Nick Holden co-recipient of World Bank Funding for project entitled ‘Armyworm Research Using Remote-Sensing Methods’
On 29th January 2018, the (opens in a new window)World Bank announced funding for 12 Development Data Innovation Projects. SBFE’s Prof Nick Holden is partner in the project ‘Armyworm Research Using Remote-Sensing Methods’ based in Mala Fall. Armyworm is an aggressive feeder that decimate crops, particularly maize and sorghum, potentially causing widespread food insecurity. This proof of concept project will examine using satellite imagery to detect FAW hotspots, and if successful, will be developed into a tool to help public institutions, NGOs, and commercial farmers maximize the benefits of insecticide, manage yield losses, and adapt to climate change challenges. The project is led by Gorta Self Help Africa (HQ, Dublin) with Orbas CTR Ltd providing remote sensing services and UCD School of Biosystems Engineering providing technical oversight.