Building capacity in remote sensing for water and irrigation assessments in the Syrian Arab Republic

FAO, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Policy Centre (NAPC) and the General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS) of Syria conducted a series of technical trainings on the use of remote sensing technology to evaluate the effect of irrigation on agricultural production, from 28 June to 2 July 2020.

These trainings gathered 25 participants, all representatives from different ministries, in two training venues, Homs and Damascus, while trainers connected online due to the COVID-19 situation.

Although the four-day trainings were carried out virtually, it turned out to be very interactive. Participants trained in the previous training sessions also helped with carrying the exercises with the new trainees.

Participants demonstrated great interest in using WaPOR and in applying the WaPOR dataset to support planning, operation and management of water and land resources in their country.

The series of technical trainings on WaPOR will continue in Syria throughout the year 2020, targeting participants from other governances and including training on water accounting and AQUASTAT, FAO global information system on water resources and agricultural water management.