Background
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Sancti Spíritus, as the proponent of this technical assistance, has extensive experience in previous projects and counts on qualified specialists to supervise, guide, and provide feedback during implementation. The Faculty brings together experts in plant health, agricultural and forest systems management, and geomatics sciences, with proven experience in remote sensing using multispectral satellite imagery, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), photogrammetry for orthophoto generation, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In addition, the University’s FabLab supports experimentation and applications in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, strengthening the technological foundation of the initiative.
This technical assistance will be implemented in partnership with national and international academic institutions, as well as local and national government entities, ensuring long-term sustainability and alignment with Cuba’s climate change adaptation framework. The Faculty has already developed experience in monitoring tropical crops using multispectral and SAR satellite imagery, as well as drones equipped with RGB cameras, forest plantation and natural forest monitoring, and the observation of protected areas and managed resources. This initiative is fully aligned with national policies such as the State Plan for Climate Change Adaptation (“Tarea Vida”), the Law on the System of Natural Resources and the Environment, Decree 86 on Climate Change, Cuba’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution, particularly regarding ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration.
CTCN Support
Through this technical assistance, the CTCN will support the design and initial deployment of an Agroenvironmental Observatory as an integrated platform for monitoring agricultural and natural ecosystems in Cuba. CTCN will provide technical expertise to support the selection, adaptation, and integration of appropriate climate technologies, including multispectral and SAR-based remote sensing, drone-based observation systems, soil and meteorological sensors, data processing infrastructure, and machine learning tools for ecosystem diagnostics. The support will focus on overcoming current technological gaps related to observation quality, data processing capacity, and access to advanced monitoring technologies.
In addition, CTCN will support capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening institutional and human capacities for the effective use of these technologies. This includes technical training for academic staff, students, ecosystem managers, and agricultural producers, as well as guidance on integrating the Observatory into national science, technology, and innovation systems. CTCN support will also facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, and local stakeholders, contributing to improved data sharing, decision-making, and long-term sustainability of the Observatory as a national reference point for agroenvironmental monitoring.
Expected Outcome
The technical assistance is expected to significantly strengthen institutional capacities for the deployment and use of climate technologies through the establishment of an Agroenvironmental Observatory that integrates advanced monitoring tools and educational components. The Observatory will improve the availability and use of high-quality environmental data and diagnostic indicators to assess the status and vulnerabilities of critical agricultural and natural ecosystems under climate change.
Seeking Experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) or the UN website.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
