USAID assistance for remote sensing in Thailand : an evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 7/79-5/83 and is based on extensive personnel interviews. Remote sensing technology generated under Project 4930314 is, for the most part, being used effectively in Thailand for resource assessment and planning and operation of the RTG National Research Council's (NRC) remote sensing unit is technically sophisticated. However, the unit suffers from production backlogs and uncertainties about future U.S. actions with respect to Landsat and similar satellites, while technology adoption has been limited due to equipment shortages - many RTG user agencies lack simple analysis equipment, and the majority lack the interactive digital analysis equipment needed to obtain detail in remote sensing data. The major RTG objective to obtain useful crop measurement and forecasting data has not been achieved, due partly to cloud cover and partly to a lack of technical development (e.g., in use of area frame sampling techniques). Some other potential remote sensing applications also appear underutilized. The ARRSTC was delayed in implementation; only two classes have graduated and the outreach activities have only just gotten underway. ARRSTC's educational program is sound, but it fails to address wide differences in student preparation, background, and interests, it is not yet integrated into the AIT's academic program, and it is hampered by organization into a single large class. The IBM software (DIMAPS) at AIT has inadequate resolving power to teach digital analysis. The training program also lacks suitable aerial photographs and appropriately scaled maps. It is recommended that A.I.D. continue remote sensing support and that future high technology projects (1) allow more flexibility for mid-course corrections; (2) examine logframe assumptions closely; (3) pay close attention to institutional and management aspects; (4) arrange to minimize costs due to short-term lapses between equipment generations; and (5) address the equipment needs of all user agencies.