The research programme of development research of the Academy of Finland funded a project SMARTLAND – Environmental sensing of ecosystem services for developing climate smart landscape framework to improve food security in East Africa. The PI of the consortium project is Prof. of Geoinformatics Petri Pellikka from Department of Geosciences and Geography partnering with Prof. of Environmental Engineering in Agriculture Laura Alakukku from Faculty of Forestry and Agriculture and Prof. of Meteorology Timo Vesala from Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research of the University of Helsinki. The project collaborates with Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and Taita Taveta University.
Same programme funded also Prof. of Zoonotic Virology Olli Vapalahti for a project “Preparedness for emerging zoonotic infections in Kenya”. The project collaborates with Prof. Omu Anzala and KAVI Insitute of Clinical research of the University of Nairobi. The duration for both projects is 2018-2022.