Venue: TERI SAS, Plot No. 10, Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070
About the Workshop:
TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERISAS), Emerson Centre for Sustainability Studies, TERISAS in Collaboration with Hokkaido University, Japan, IIT Roorkee and IIT BHU, are organizing "Capacity Building Workshop on UAV/Drone Applications in Environment and Natural Resources Management: A Hands-on training Program".
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/Drones have gained significant attention in sectors such as agriculture and natural resource management due to their ability to provide efficient, cost-effective, and precise solutions for monitoring, data collection, and decision-making. As these applications continue to grow, there is an increasing need for workshops and capacity-building initiatives to equip stakeholders—such as farmers, natural resource managers, researchers, and policymakers—with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to harness the full potential of UAV technology.
A comprehensive workshop focused on UAV applications in agriculture and natural resource management offers a platform to educate participants about the technology, its capabilities, and practical implementation. It also fosters the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustainable practices in these fields. This write-up explores the importance of such workshops, their key components, and their role in strengthening capacity for UAV-based applications.
The Need for Workshops and Capacity Building:
As UAV technology rapidly evolves, many stakeholders in agriculture and natural resource management sectors may face barriers to adoption, such as lack of technical expertise, awareness of the benefits, or access to resources. A well-structured workshop can bridge this knowledge gap, offering participants the opportunity to learn about drone technology, data analysis techniques, and best practices for integrating UAVs into their daily operations. These workshops are essential for fostering an understanding of how drones can improve productivity, monitor landscapes, and conserve natural resources, particularly in developing regions where access to advanced technology may be limited.
Capacity building through workshops can have several key benefits:
Skill Development: Workshops provide hands-on training to participants, allowing them to operate drones, understand the sensors and payloads, and analyse data collected in the field.
Knowledge Transfer: They offer a platform for experts, researchers, and practitioners to share their experiences and insights, ensuring that knowledge is disseminated widely.
Network Building: Workshops help build a community of professionals, fostering collaboration and partnerships between farmers, scientists, technology developers, and policymakers.
Increased Adoption of UAV Technology: When stakeholders have the necessary training and confidence to use UAVs, they are more likely to adopt the technology in their practices, improving overall productivity and sustainability.
IMPORTANT DATES
REGISTRATION BEGINS
20th Nov, 2024Last Date of REGISTRAION
8th Dec, 2024Workshop programme DATES
10th - 12th Dec, 2024Key Component of the Capacity-Building Workshop:
A successful UAV workshop in agriculture and natural resource management typically includes a mix of theoretical instruction, practical demonstrations, and interactive sessions. Below are the key components of such a workshop:
1. Introduction to UAV Technologies:
Theory: Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of UAVs, including their types (e.g., fixed-wing, rotary-wing), components, and flight systems.
Overview of UAV Sensors: A key focus is placed on the various sensors commonly used in agricultural and environmental monitoring, such as multispectral, thermal, and LiDAR sensors. Participants learn how these sensors help capture data on crop health, soil conditions, biodiversity, and forest management.
2. Applications of UAVs in Agriculture:
Precision Agriculture: Workshops cover the role of drones in precision agriculture, including crop monitoring, variable rate application of fertilizers, irrigation management, and pest control.
Case Studies and Best Practices: Real-world examples from regions where UAVs have been successfully deployed for crop health monitoring, yield estimation, and soil mapping are shared. This provides participants with a clear understanding of how UAVs can be integrated into existing agricultural systems.
Data Processing and Analysis: The workshop may include sessions on how to process UAV imagery and data using software tools (e.g., Pix4D, Agisoft, or drone-specific platforms). Participants learn how to generate maps, identify stressors in crops, and interpret results.
3. Applications of UAVs in Natural Resource Management:
Forest Management: Drones are increasingly used for forest monitoring, biodiversity assessment, and tracking deforestation. Workshops provide insights into how UAVs can help map forest cover, assess tree health, and detect illegal logging activities.
Wildlife Monitoring: Participants learn how UAVs can be used for wildlife surveys, tracking animal populations, and monitoring migration patterns without disturbing wildlife.
Environmental Monitoring: Drones play a key role in monitoring natural habitats, wetlands, and coastal areas. Workshops demonstrate how UAVs can capture high-resolution images for mapping habitats, detecting pollution, and assessing environmental changes due to climate change.
4. UAV Applications in Disaster Management
Disaster prevention and mitigation
Response and recovery operations
Case studies and best practices
5. Hands-On Training and Demonstrations:
Drone Operations: Practical sessions where participants learn about drone operation, learn basic flight controls, and capturing aerial photographs and videos are a vital part of the workshop. Hands-on training provides invaluable experience in using UAVs effectively.
Field Demonstrations: Workshops often include field visits where participants observe drone applications in action—whether it is crop-monitoring, forest health assessment. These demonstrations help participants connect theory with practice.
6. Data Interpretation and Decision-Making:
Data Analysis: After collecting data with UAVs, it is critical to interpret the results. Workshops provide participants with tools and techniques for processing drone data, creating maps, and analysing trends.
Decision Support Systems: Participants are introduced to decision support systems that use UAV data to guide farm or resource management practices. These systems assist in making informed decisions on irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and resource conservation.
The workshop focused on UAV applications in agriculture and natural resource management are essential for equipping stakeholders with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to harness the full potential of drone technology. By providing training on drone operations, data processing, and the ethical and regulatory landscape, these workshops play a critical role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices and effective resource management. As UAV technology continues to evolve, ongoing capacity-building efforts will be essential for ensuring that farmers, resource managers, and conservationists are able to fully leverage this powerful tool for a more sustainable and productive future.
key references :
1. Xiao, J., Suab, S.A., Chen, X., Singh, C.K., Singh, D., Aggarwal, A.K., Korom, A., Widyatmanti, W., Mollah, T.H., Minh, H.V.T. and Khedher, K.M., 2023. Enhancing assessment of corn growth performance using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning. Measurement, 214, p.112764.
2. Merghadi, A., Yunus, A.P., Dou, J., Whiteley, J., ThaiPham, B., Bui, D.T., Avtar, R. and Abderrahmane, B., 2020. Machine learning methods for landslide susceptibility studies: A comparative overview of algorithm performance. Earth-Science Reviews, 207, p.103225.
3. Xiao, J., Aggarwal, A.K., Rage, U.K., Katiyar, V. and Avtar, R., 2023. Deep learning-based spatiotemporal fusion of unmanned aerial vehicle and satellite reflectance images for crop monitoring. IEEE Access.
4. Erdelj, M., Natalizio, E., Chowdhury, K.R. and Akyildiz, I.F., 2017. Help from the sky: Leveraging UAVs for disaster management. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 16(1), pp.24-32.
