Burkina Faso

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.

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.