Catherine Nakalembe
Satellite food security specialist who uses satellite imagery and machine learning to map and monitor smallholder farming across Africa and translate that information for decision-makers and organizations supporting farmers.
Best podcasts with Catherine Nakalembe
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Oct 24, 2025 • 34min
How satellites are supporting farmers across Africa | Catherine Nakalembe
Catherine Nakalembe, a satellite food security specialist and TED Fellow, discusses using satellite imagery and machine learning to aid smallholder farmers in Africa. She reveals how her work helps predict floods and droughts, adapting technology to local needs. Catherine shares her innovative use of GoPros for collecting crop data and the challenges of transferring high-tech data to farmers on the ground. She emphasizes the importance of engaging local knowledge and building capacity to turn data into actionable insights, ensuring farmers can effectively respond to agricultural risks.
Jan 9, 2023 • 1h 6min
Supporting Food Security in Africa Using ML with Catherine Nakalembe - #611
Catherine Nakalembe, an Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland and Africa Program Director at NASA Harvest, discusses her work on food security in Africa through machine learning and satellite data. She highlights the critical challenges of food insecurity exacerbated by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Catherine delves into innovative techniques like multi-task learning for crop mapping and emphasizes the importance of improving access to remote sensing data. Collaborations and local initiatives are vital for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
