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WaPOR, remote sensing for water productivity

First hybrid training session with IWMI and the WaPOR digitization unit in Algeria

25/06/2024

FAO, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), organized the first hybrid training session in Algiers on June 27, 2024, for the members of the WaPOR Digitization Unit (CNWaPOR). This session is part of IWMI's action plan in Algeria, aligning with the implementation of the activity for co-developing the water needs determination model.

Members of the WaPOR Digitization Unit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development participated in this session. Additionally, a new resource person from the Integrated Water Resources Management Agency, representing the Ministry of Hydraulics, joined the session following a request made during the last project steering committee meeting.

After a brief overview of the various initiatives led by IWMI, the presentation covered the following points:

  • Water usage tool using WaPOR version 3 data;
  • Programming skills of the CNWaPOR group;
  • Configuration of external libraries.

The detailed elements addressed crop identification, including parceling and surface water, and the phenological stage through the use of WaPOR V3 portal data. This was followed by a brief description of the dashboard and the information it can generate, such as the variation in water usage across seasons, which subsequently allows for the calculation of key irrigation performance indicators and determination of crop water requirements.

Participants highlighted the importance of the model, which will provide key elements for better water resource management. Additionally, the complementarity with current crop mapping work in the Mitidja plain was mentioned, which will serve to optimize the model.

At the end of the session, participants were invited to complete the "Python for Geospatial Analysis using WaPOR Data" training available online on the IHE Delft platform to be ready for the next sessions. It was also agreed to develop a roadmap with IWMI to maintain group dynamics and exchanges within the CNWaPOR Algeria task force.