In the heart of Nigeria, a transformative journey began at the Center for Dry Land Agriculture, Bayero University Kano. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) joined forces with the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) of the ACReSAL Project to host a capacity-building workshop on Collect Earth Advance Training on Mapathon.

This 2-day training and 8-day data collection exercise brought together dedicated professionals from various organizations, including GIS experts, MIS officers from the ACReSAL Project, and representatives from ministries and agencies.

The workshop aimed to empower participants with cutting-edge skills in land monitoring, environmental analysis, and data collection using Collect Earth.

The training focused on enhancing national capacity in land evaluation, biophysical data analysis, and environmental-related assessments.

The ultimate goal was to support the ACReSAL project’s intervention areas and contribute to the Africa DEAL initiative, which seeks to bolster environmental, agricultural, land use, and climate data collection across Africa.

As participants delved into the training, they discovered new techniques for monitoring restored lands, analyzing land use changes, and reporting on climate action commitments.

The hands-on experience and expert guidance enabled them to operate autonomously with the technology.

The participants expressed gratitude to FAO for the opportunity, promising to utilize their newfound skills to achieve the project’s development objectives.

This workshop marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhanced land monitoring and sustainable development.

The participants were all issued certificates for commitment and active participation at the close of the 2 weeks of training. As they returned to their respective organizations, they carried with them the knowledge and tools to drive positive change and contribute to a brighter future for the country.