FAO and Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture Host Inception Workshop for Drone Mapping and Geospatial Analysis Training Program
– The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources hosted an inception workshop for a Drone Mapping, Monitoring and Geospatial Analysis Training programme on Tuesday April 30,2024. FAO under its technical cooperation programme for disaster risk management, is supporting the establishment of a drone and geospatial information systems team in collaboration with the MOAMR.
Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) or ‘drones’ and geospatial mapping and analysis software elevates the standard of ecosystem-based environmental management with vast potential for national application and scaling across the Caribbean region.
The three-month training initiative is strategically designed to facilitate the implementation of national UAS Units, foster commercial operations, and streamline environmental mapping and monitoring analysis workflows. With a focus on agricultural, coastal, marine, and disaster risk management applications, the program is poised to adaption planning and strengthen climate resilience building and other sustainable development objectives.
The training engaged 18 participants comprising eight UAS pilots and ten geospatial analysts through a virtual learning management system. The training series will also utilize a blended approach with 10 days of in-person instruction, broken into two (one-week) field missions.
The trainings are being led by Dr. Kim Baldwin, a marine ecologist and US commercial drone pilot licensed in over 15 Caribbean countries. "I'm thrilled to lead this transformative FAO Project together with the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources. Over the next few months, we'll establish a commercial 'Drone Unit' and provide extensive training using drone technologies and geospatial analysis tools to enhance data-driven decision-making nationwide. At the core of the Project lies my Participatory-UAS approach, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to equip stakeholders with the skills to revolutionize environmental management and build a resilient future in the Bahamas!", said Dr. Baldwin.
The inception workshop introduced participants to Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)Agricultural Coastal Marine Disaster applications and explored topics including Participatory Geospatial Tools & Technologies for Risk Management in Agriculture, drone mapping policies, procedures and considerations.
Furthermore, the workshop shed light on the diverse applications of drone technology, extending beyond traditional sectors into areas such as tourism, heritage preservation, and education. Participants delved into examples showcasing the enhancement of environmental management practices, with a focus on ecosystem mapping, biodiversity monitoring, disaster response & preparedness, marine spatial planning, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.
As the project progresses, participating UAS Units will have the opportunity to present their final findings and showcase their newfound drone and geospatial skills through mapping and monitoring case studies. These presentations will serve as a platform to garner national support and foster public awareness regarding the critical role of drones in disaster risk management.