Introduction to QGIS WaPOR
WaPOR (Water Productivity Open-access Portal) is a platform developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that uses satellite data to assess how efficiently water is used in agriculture. This is particularly crucial in regions where water is scarce. By leveraging this data, you can better identify where water is being wasted, determine which crops require the most water, and plan irrigation more effectively.
QGIS, a free and open-source GIS program, allows you to visualize, analyze, and utilize WaPOR data to make more informed decisions. It helps you determine the water needs of a region, map drought stress, and optimize agricultural production. When combined, WaPOR and QGIS provide farmers, researchers, and policymakers with powerful tools for using water more efficiently and promoting sustainable farming practices.
What will you learn in this blended learning course?
In this course, you’ll learn how to use WaPOR data in QGIS to analyze water productivity and spatial trends in agriculture. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the WaPOR database structure, including important biogeophysical variables such as evaporation, transpiration, and crop production.
You’ll also discover how to query and download WaPOR data from the FAO portal, and how to visualize, edit, and analyze this data within QGIS. Additionally, you’ll learn how to extract and interpret biogeophysical variables, gaining insights into water consumption, crop growth, and irrigation efficiency.
The course also covers performing spatial analysis with WaPOR data, both in QGIS and Python (Jupyter Notebooks). You’ll gain practical experience analyzing time series data, which will allow you to identify and predict trends in water usage and agricultural productivity.
By the end of the course, you’ll be capable of working independently with WaPOR data to optimize water use, monitor drought stress, and implement more sustainable land management practices. This course is particularly beneficial for anyone working in water management, remote sensing, or geospatial data analysis.
Why choose this one-on-one QGIS WaPOR course?
Blended learning offers the best of both worlds—flexible self-paced study and interactive live sessions. In this course, you’ll apply WaPOR data in QGIS to address real-world water management and agricultural challenges.
We kick off with a live session where you’ll dive into WaPOR datasets right away. With expert guidance, you’ll learn how to retrieve, analyze, and visualize water data to improve irrigation and enhance agricultural efficiency.
Next, the self-paced modules allow you to explore key concepts at your own pace. You’ll gain hands-on experience working with WaPOR data, and tools like QGIS and Python, to optimize irrigation and land use.
Then, in the second live session, you’ll apply your knowledge to practical scenarios. You’ll refine your techniques, troubleshoot challenges, and receive feedback as you develop models and maps for better water and crop management.
A key feature of this course is its hands-on approach. You’ll work with real satellite data to create practical outputs—maps and models—that are ready for use in your own projects.
By combining expert instruction with flexible learning, this course ensures that you don’t just use QGIS and WaPOR—you’ll confidently apply them to real GIS projects. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to make data-driven decisions that improve water management and agricultural practices.