Knowledge Hub

KijaniSpace Project

KMFRI Space-Based Aquatic Research Initiative

About KijaniSpace

KijaniSpace – Kiswahili for "Green Space" – is an ambitious initiative combining the KijaniBox IoT Kit with Copernicus Earth Observation data to deliver precision insights that transform smallholder agriculture and inland aquaculture across Kenya. By fusing ground-level sensor data with satellite imagery, KijaniSpace enables evidence-based decisions on water quality, crop stress, and fish pond management.

Coverage & Reach

KijaniSpace geographic coverage map

Core Technology Components

Satellite Data Integration

Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 imagery provides vegetation indices (NDVI), chlorophyll-a estimates, and land-surface temperature at 10–300 m resolution over Kenyan water bodies and farmland.

KijaniBox IoT Kit

Low-cost, solar-powered sensor nodes deployed at fish ponds and farms, measuring dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and turbidity, transmitting data via LPWAN to KMFRI's cloud dashboard in real time.

Smart Agriculture

Combining satellite and IoT data streams, KijaniSpace delivers SMS and web-based advisory services that help farmers optimise irrigation, feeding schedules, and harvesting cycles for increased productivity.

KMFRI's Role in KijaniSpace

Scientific Research

Aquaculture and inland fisheries baseline studies to validate IoT sensor accuracy.

Data Management

Hosting and curating KijaniSpace sensor data through KMFRI's institutional data repository.

Capacity Building

Training smallholder farmers and aquaculture practitioners in interpreting advisory outputs.

Partnership & Outreach

Coordinating with ESA, EU, and national agencies to scale KijaniSpace across Eastern Africa.