RAMSES/eLocust2
EMPRES/CRC regional workshop participants
FAO DLIS organized a workshop for National Information Officers from the EMPRES/CRC countries using RAMSES (Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen) and DLCO-EA. Two participants attended from each country. The workshop was led by Keith Cressman (FAO Locust Forecasting Officer) and assisted by Nassor Al-Harthy (FAO Locust Reporting Officer). The five-day workshop was held at the FAO Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt from 19 to 23 March.
FAO DLIS organized a workshop for National Information Officers from the EMPRES/CRC countries using RAMSES (Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen) and DLCO-EA. Two participants attended from each country. The workshop was led by Keith Cressman (FAO Locust Forecasting Officer) and assisted by Nassor Al-Harthy (FAO Locust Reporting Officer). The five-day workshop was held at the FAO Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt from 19 to 23 March.
Participants working in groups
The two participants from each country worked together on a single PC. This allowed hands-on practice and exploration of the new software and its features. In all, there were 8 groups and 8 PCs plus one for the FAO trainers.
The two participants from each country worked together on a single PC. This allowed hands-on practice and exploration of the new software and its features. In all, there were 8 groups and 8 PCs plus one for the FAO trainers.
A new version of RAMSES was introduced
Participants practiced using a new version of RAMSES (v3) that incorporates user suggestions and new functionality such as import of eLocust2 data.
Participants practiced using a new version of RAMSES (v3) that incorporates user suggestions and new functionality such as import of eLocust2 data.
Participants completed practical exercises
As a hands-on way of learning, participants completed a series of exercises on installation of the new software, data entry, display, query, and analysis and making maps to incorporate into national locust bulletins. FAO trainers introduced each exercise first and then the participants worked on them at their own pace.
As a hands-on way of learning, participants completed a series of exercises on installation of the new software, data entry, display, query, and analysis and making maps to incorporate into national locust bulletins. FAO trainers introduced each exercise first and then the participants worked on them at their own pace.
Running into trouble!
At times participants encountered problems with the hardware and software, and were shown how to resolve them. Even if these were deliberate or accidental, it helped to prepare participants for troubleshooting and fixing similar incidents when they return to their home countries.
At times participants encountered problems with the hardware and software, and were shown how to resolve them. Even if these were deliberate or accidental, it helped to prepare participants for troubleshooting and fixing similar incidents when they return to their home countries.
Analyzing ecological conditions with remote sensing imagery
The FAO trainers showed participants how to manage and analyze SPOT-VGT and MODIS remote sensing imagery. Participants practiced using these products to detect potential areas of favourable habitats and to guide survey teams in the desert. It is hoped that participants will be able to make use of the higher resolution MODIS imagery in the near future.
The FAO trainers showed participants how to manage and analyze SPOT-VGT and MODIS remote sensing imagery. Participants practiced using these products to detect potential areas of favourable habitats and to guide survey teams in the desert. It is hoped that participants will be able to make use of the higher resolution MODIS imagery in the near future.
Experienced and new Information Officers
The level of the participants varied considerably - some of the Information Officers were new to their job while others had been using RAMSES and remote sensing imagery for several years. In both cases, new techniques of data management and analysis were presented at the workshop and all participants were able to practice using their PCs.
The level of the participants varied considerably - some of the Information Officers were new to their job while others had been using RAMSES and remote sensing imagery for several years. In both cases, new techniques of data management and analysis were presented at the workshop and all participants were able to practice using their PCs.
Experienced and new Information Officers
The level of the participants varied considerably - some of the Information Officers were new to their job while others had been using RAMSES and remote sensing imagery for several years. In both cases, new techniques of data management and analysis were presented at the workshop and all participants were able to practice using their PCs.
The level of the participants varied considerably - some of the Information Officers were new to their job while others had been using RAMSES and remote sensing imagery for several years. In both cases, new techniques of data management and analysis were presented at the workshop and all participants were able to practice using their PCs.
Training on the new eLocust2
The latest version of eLocust2 was introduced and participants spent a full day practicing entering data, transmitting it by satellite and then importing it into RAMSES. eLocust2 is a handheld device with built-in GPS reception and satellite transmission for use in the field by national survey and control staff in affected countries. The field officer can quickly enter data using a touch screen and send it from anywhere in the desert directly to the National Locust Centre in a matter of minutes via satellite. Participants will return to their country and train their field staff. As all teams become equipped with eLocust2, data quality and timeliness are expected to improve which in turn should improve the early warning of Desert Locust plagues.
The latest version of eLocust2 was introduced and participants spent a full day practicing entering data, transmitting it by satellite and then importing it into RAMSES. eLocust2 is a handheld device with built-in GPS reception and satellite transmission for use in the field by national survey and control staff in affected countries. The field officer can quickly enter data using a touch screen and send it from anywhere in the desert directly to the National Locust Centre in a matter of minutes via satellite. Participants will return to their country and train their field staff. As all teams become equipped with eLocust2, data quality and timeliness are expected to improve which in turn should improve the early warning of Desert Locust plagues.
