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Earth observation data are systematically used to monitor and detect disturbances in the growth of plants due to water stress, weather, drought or pests. Especially in Africa, where the majority of farmers are vulnerable to these threats, Earth observation data can provide valuable information to support policies and decision making in the sector of food security. The Horizon 2020-funded AfriCultuReS project "Enhancing Food Security in African Agricultural Systems with the Support of Remote Sensing" (2017-2021) leverages the above data to contribute to an integrated agricultural monitoring and early warning system for Africa, to be used to support food security decision-making in Africa. The aim of this work is to present the current progress in the design and distribution of EO services under the AfriCultuReS program and how they are expected to support food safety decisions in Africa. Designed services cover the requirements of users in the areas of land, crops, livestock, water, meteorology and climate change.

Smallholder farmers produce about 70% of Africa’s food supply. These farmers are vulnerable to a number of risks, mainly climate related, which have a tremendous impact on food security and thus poverty. Information about crop yields, vegetation conditions and weather, among others, are essential to policy makers to enhance food security. Earth observation data, analytics and modeling from various sources, at a variety of spatial and temporal scales could be used to support policy and decision making in the field of food security. This paper describes crops, water and drought services that are being developed in the AfriCultuReS project. Preliminary results are presented, which reflect the uneven distribution of precipitation, water bodies, and vegetation conditions throughout Africa.

Earth observation data are systematically used to monitor and detect disturbances in the growth of plants due to water stress, weather, drought or pests. Especially in Africa, where the majority of farmers are vulnerable to these threats, Earth observation data can provide valuable information to support policies and decision making in the sector of food security. The Horizon 2020-funded AfriCultuReS project "Enhancing Food Security in African Agricultural Systems with the Support of Remote Sensing" (2017-2021) leverages the above data to contribute to an integrated agricultural monitoring and early warning system for Africa, to be used to support food security decision-making in Africa. The aim of this work is to present the current progress in the design and distribution of EO services under the AfriCultuReS program and how they are expected to support food safety decisions in Africa. Designed services cover the requirements of users in the areas of land, crops, livestock, water, meteorology and climate change.

Smallholder farmers produce about 70% of Africa’s food supply. These farmers are vulnerable to a number of risks, mainly climate related, which have a tremendous impact on food security and thus poverty. Information about crop yields, vegetation conditions and weather, among others, are essential to policy makers to enhance food security. Earth observation data, analytics and modeling from various sources, at a variety of spatial and temporal scales could be used to support policy and decision making in the field of food security. This paper describes crops, water and drought services that are being developed in the AfriCultuReS project. Preliminary results are presented, which reflect the uneven distribution of precipitation, water bodies, and vegetation conditions throughout Africa.