The content of a recent story in AllAfrica.com caught my eye due to the news that Uganda will soon have a GEONETCast satellite imagery receiver to monitor the weather and environment for increased agricultural production. The imagery is a vital link in helping these farmers obtain the data necessary to mitigate against crop lost.
The title of the piece is, “Machine to Provide Time Data for Farmers.” It’s interesting to think of remote sensing as a machine, as I don’t think many people in the developed world do. The concept of digital imagery and sensors, and even software systems, goes beyond the mechanical into the digital. I’m also sure the title meant to state “real-time” data rather than “time” data. Nevertheless, the story does convey the importance of this new toolset for enhanced social benefits, and that’s the true heart of this story.
