TED Tech How satellites are supporting farmers across Africa | Catherine Nakalembe
Feb 13, 2026
Catherine Nakalembe, a University of Maryland research professor and NASA Harvest Africa director who uses satellite data to aid smallholder farmers. She discusses translating satellite predictions into real-world action. Stories include a 2015 drought response and 'Mary's' struggle to access help. She outlines practical shifts needed to turn data into income and resilience for farmers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Prediction To Emergency Action
- Catherine Nakalembe used satellite data to predict the 2015 East Africa drought and then personally briefed the prime minister, triggering food trucks within 24 hours.
- That intervention later led to a proactive financing program helping 450,000 people over five years.
Prediction Isn’t The Problem
- Despite 8,000+ satellites and powerful AI, food insecurity persists because information rarely reaches actionable interventions for farmers.
- The gap isn't prediction but translation of data into tangible, local solutions.
Mary's Story: The Farmer Behind The Data
- Nakalembe describes "Mary," a smallholder in Tanzania who harvested only 800 kg due to irregular rainfall and lack of backup income.
- She contrasts Mary's reality with a hypothetical where timely info, inputs, finance, and buyers raise her harvest to 3,000 kg.