Tunis, October 27–28, 2025
The Sahara and Sahel Observatory, in partnership with the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIR-CAS) and under the framework of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), organized a regional training workshop dedicated to agricultural water monitoring and optimization in North Africa.
Bringing together experts from Tunisian and Libyan institutions - including LCRSSS, CNCT, INAT, ESIM, ENIT, INGC, INRAT, INRGREF, and several entities from Tunisia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries (DGRE, AVFA, DGACTA, and the CRDAs of Manouba, Ariana, Zaghouan, and Tunis) - the workshop offered both scientific insight and hands-on practice.
The opening session featured remarks by Mr. Nabil Hamada, Director of the OSS Administration and Finance Department, Dr. Aïssa Hlaimi, General Director of Water Resources in Tunisia, and Professors Jia Li and Massimo Menenti from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. They emphasized the urgent need for efficient water management and data-driven decision-making, especially in a region increasingly affected by water scarcity and its repercussions on agriculture and food security.
Through practical sessions, participants knew more about Earth Observation (EO) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications for monitoring agricultural water use. They explored the ETMonitor model, developed by AIR-CAS, and learned to generate and interpret key indicators such as evapotranspiration (ET), gross and net primary productivity (GPP and NPP), and water use efficiency (WUE). These indicators, available at 1 km resolution globally and 30 m resolution for North Africa, are essential for evaluating and optimizing water resources.
Beyond technical training, the workshop fostered peer learning and knowledge exchange, encouraging dialogue on best practices, methodologies, and the integration of advanced technologies in agricultural water management.
This first collaborative event between the OSS and AIR-CAS marks a significant step toward a stronger scientific cooperation and innovative digital solutions for sustainable water monitoring in North Africa and beyond.