Crowdsourcing data can help monitor drought impacts on food security
Policy brief shares researchers experience of using crowdsourced data to observe changes in food security attributable to drought.
Abstract
Drought is the most significant climatic shock faced by pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa. Early warning information can help households better prepare and respond to drought. However, providing precise early warning information and monitoring indicators of resilience in remote places affected by conflicts, with dispersed markets and poor infrastructure, is hampered by limited ability to gather data using conventional survey methods.
This policy brief shares researchers’ experience of using crowdsourced data gathered with the platform KAZNET to observe changes in food security attributable to drought. Researchers further assessed the mechanisms by which drought impacts occur. Uncovering these mechanisms can guide policymakers to develop strategies to enhance resilience and improve productivity in drought, thereby mitigating food insecurity. Such knowledge can help provide early warning and inform anticipatory action when dealing with shocks.
This work is part of the Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC) Programme.
Citation
Shikuku K, Alulu V, Lepariyo W and Banerjee R. ‘Crowdsourcing data can help monitor drought impacts on food security’ London, SPARC, 2024
Links
Crowdsourcing data can help monitor drought impacts on food security