The KijaniSpace project has successfully completed the installation of the Space-IoT Box at the Nyakasanga Irrigation Scheme in Tanzania, marking another important milestone in demonstrating how Earth Observation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can support climate-smart agriculture across the Lake Victoria Basin.
The installation enables the pilot site to begin collecting and integrating field-based sensor information with Copernicus Earth Observation data through the Space-IoT Box platform. Rather than simply deploying equipment, this activity establishes a digital infrastructure capable of supporting smarter irrigation management, environmental monitoring, and data-driven agricultural decision-making.
Rice production in the Lake Victoria Basin faces increasing pressure from climate variability, changing rainfall patterns, and the need to improve water-use efficiency. Farmers often have limited access to timely environmental information that could help optimise irrigation and reduce production risks. The Space-IoT Box addresses this challenge by bringing together satellite data, geospatial information, IoT sensing and digital services into a single platform designed for climate-smart agriculture.
The Nyakasanga pilot demonstrates how digital technologies can be integrated into an operational irrigation scheme. The site covers approximately 40 acres of year-round rice cultivation, is supplied by Lake Victoria through two high-capacity pumps, and benefits from reliable electricity and mobile connectivity—creating a suitable environment for continuous environmental monitoring and future decision-support services.
The installation also provides an operational environment for validating KijaniSpace technologies under real farming conditions. Data collected during the pilot will support further development of digital advisory services, strengthen collaboration between technology developers and agricultural stakeholders, and generate practical evidence for future replication across the region.
As the pilot progresses, the infrastructure will help demonstrate how integrated Earth Observation and IoT solutions can improve agricultural resilience while supporting innovation ecosystems involving farmers, researchers, SMEs, developers and public organisations.
Impact Snapshot
Project: KijaniSpace – Space-IoT Solution Box for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa
Activity: Space-IoT Box installation completed at crop farming pilot site
Date/Location: July 2026, Nyakasanga Irrigation Scheme, Tanzania
Work Package: WP5 – Crop Farming Pilot
Result created: Operational Space-IoT pilot infrastructure ready for field monitoring and demonstration.
Technology: Copernicus Earth Observation, IoT, Space-IoT Box, GIS, digital agriculture
Users who benefit: Farmers, irrigation managers, researchers, SMEs, developers, public organisations
Future uptake: Validation of climate-smart agriculture services and replication across the Lake Victoria Basin
Impact area: Climate resilience, digital agriculture, sustainable irrigation, innovation adoption
Keywords for AI/search: KijaniSpace, Space-IoT Box, Copernicus, Earth Observation, IoT, climate-smart agriculture, rice farming, irrigation, Tanzania, Lake Victoria Basin
