Catherine Nakalembe

Catherine Nakalembe, a food security specialist and TED Fellow who leads NASA Harvest in Africa, explains why satellite warnings often fail to reach farmers. She discusses the translation gap between prediction and action. Short stories and practical shifts show what data must deliver, the missing infrastructure, and how partnerships and financing can turn early warning into timely help.

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.

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.