Ecosystem

This interview provides an in-depth look at my expertise and experience in water resource management, environmental conservation, and the integration of AI and remote sensing technologies in Burkina Faso. My passion for water management stems from my desire to protect precious resources and my belief in the essential importance of providing water to communities, a principle reinforced when I joined the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021. As a Water and Environment Specialist at the General Office of Agro-Pastoral Development and Irrigation, I am responsible for irrigation systems, lowland rice-growing areas, and the protection of water infrastructure, while integrating innovation and remote sensing technologies to improve performance. My work also focuses on community conservation, including the removal of invasive aquatic plants from reservoirs and the treatment of gullies to combat soil erosion. I have experience in remote sensing and AI-based applications such as ML and DL for monitoring flood risks, erosion, and irrigation systems. I use machine learning algorithms such as CNN, Random Forest, U-Net, and SVM to analyze satellite images, predict the spread of invasive plants, and optimize water use. My research on integrating traditional knowledge into water management highlights the SoaSoagha concept, a collective work approach in Burkina Faso that promotes community conservation. Traditional rainwater harvesting, floodplain management, and small earthen dams (soussous) align with modern hydrological models, while sacred forests and customary water rights have been revealing, demonstrating indigenous methods of ecosystem protection. My project on AI-powered aquatic invasive plant management integrates machine learning (Satellite image analysis to classify areas with a high probability of aquatic plant presence), deep learning (Precise segmentation of invasive plants, such as water hyacinth and others, in these identified areas), and community engagement to extract, classify, and convert plants into compost, biogas, and biochar. My work highlights the importance of combining technological innovation and traditional knowledge to strengthen climate resilience, ensure water security, and promote sustainable development in Burkina Faso and beyond.

In the interview, Hafsa Aeman discusses her passion for integrating water resource management with space technologies. She uses remote sensing and AI to tackle challenges like seawater intrusion and coastal erosion, focusing on vulnerable coastal ecosystems. By leveraging satellite data, her work provides critical insights for sustainable water management, crucial for communities impacted by climate change. Ms Aeman highlights the significant role of space technology in water management, especially through remote sensing, which helps monitor precipitation, soil moisture, and groundwater levels. Her proudest achievement is a publication on seawater intrusion, recognized for its innovative use of AI and remote sensing, contributing to Pakistan’s Living Indus initiative. At the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Hafsa’s research integrates AI and remote sensing to optimize water and irrigation management systems. She emphasizes the importance of addressing seawater intrusion, which poses threats to agriculture, ecosystems, and global food security. She also underscores the role of community engagement in sustainable water management through capacity-building workshops for farmers, promoting smarter irrigation practices. She advocates for leadership opportunities for young scientists and believes AI can revolutionize water management by enabling more accurate and efficient data analysis. Rain, symbolizing renewal and sustenance, is her favorite aggregate state of water.

This interview provides an in-depth look at my expertise and experience in water resource management, environmental conservation, and the integration of AI and remote sensing technologies in Burkina Faso. My passion for water management stems from my desire to protect precious resources and my belief in the essential importance of providing water to communities, a principle reinforced when I joined the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021. As a Water and Environment Specialist at the General Office of Agro-Pastoral Development and Irrigation, I am responsible for irrigation systems, lowland rice-growing areas, and the protection of water infrastructure, while integrating innovation and remote sensing technologies to improve performance. My work also focuses on community conservation, including the removal of invasive aquatic plants from reservoirs and the treatment of gullies to combat soil erosion. I have experience in remote sensing and AI-based applications such as ML and DL for monitoring flood risks, erosion, and irrigation systems. I use machine learning algorithms such as CNN, Random Forest, U-Net, and SVM to analyze satellite images, predict the spread of invasive plants, and optimize water use. My research on integrating traditional knowledge into water management highlights the SoaSoagha concept, a collective work approach in Burkina Faso that promotes community conservation. Traditional rainwater harvesting, floodplain management, and small earthen dams (soussous) align with modern hydrological models, while sacred forests and customary water rights have been revealing, demonstrating indigenous methods of ecosystem protection. My project on AI-powered aquatic invasive plant management integrates machine learning (Satellite image analysis to classify areas with a high probability of aquatic plant presence), deep learning (Precise segmentation of invasive plants, such as water hyacinth and others, in these identified areas), and community engagement to extract, classify, and convert plants into compost, biogas, and biochar. My work highlights the importance of combining technological innovation and traditional knowledge to strengthen climate resilience, ensure water security, and promote sustainable development in Burkina Faso and beyond.

In the interview, Hafsa Aeman discusses her passion for integrating water resource management with space technologies. She uses remote sensing and AI to tackle challenges like seawater intrusion and coastal erosion, focusing on vulnerable coastal ecosystems. By leveraging satellite data, her work provides critical insights for sustainable water management, crucial for communities impacted by climate change. Ms Aeman highlights the significant role of space technology in water management, especially through remote sensing, which helps monitor precipitation, soil moisture, and groundwater levels. Her proudest achievement is a publication on seawater intrusion, recognized for its innovative use of AI and remote sensing, contributing to Pakistan’s Living Indus initiative. At the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Hafsa’s research integrates AI and remote sensing to optimize water and irrigation management systems. She emphasizes the importance of addressing seawater intrusion, which poses threats to agriculture, ecosystems, and global food security. She also underscores the role of community engagement in sustainable water management through capacity-building workshops for farmers, promoting smarter irrigation practices. She advocates for leadership opportunities for young scientists and believes AI can revolutionize water management by enabling more accurate and efficient data analysis. Rain, symbolizing renewal and sustenance, is her favorite aggregate state of water.