Session summary
This GeoField 2026 research session presents four papers using geospatial data, remote sensing, and quasi-experimental methods to study environmental risk, conflict recovery, agricultural insurance, and mining externalities. The presentations span Nigeria, Afghanistan, Kenya, and multiple African mining regions.
Moderator: Kunwar K. Singh
Gas Flaring, Agricultural Productivity and Labor Reallocation
Arinze Nwokolo presents a study of how gas flaring affects agricultural productivity and labor allocation in Nigeria. Using the 2010 Nigerian Local Content Act as a natural experiment, the paper combines remote sensing data on gas flaring, air pollution, and precipitation with panel household survey data. The results suggest that exposure to gas flaring reduced crop yields and agricultural labor productivity, while also shifting household labor away from agriculture and toward the service sector.
Landmine Clearance and Economic Development
Rachel Sayers presents a geospatial impact evaluation of landmine clearance in Afghanistan. Using detailed polygons of hazardous areas and clearance dates, the study examines how clearance affected nighttime lights, land use, farming intensity, and conflict. The findings suggest that landmine clearance generated meaningful economic gains, expanded productive land use, and may have reduced conflict where mines had blocked agricultural activity.
Welfare Effects of Data-Driven vs. Administrative Borders for Insurance Zones
Ella Kirchner and Elinor Benami present research on agricultural insurance-zone design in Kenya. The study asks whether insurance zones derived from Earth observation, weather data, and crop-cut observations can improve farmer welfare compared with zones based on administrative boundaries. The results show that data-driven zones can outperform administrative zones in some settings, but also underscore that sampling intensity, data costs, and design quality are critical to whether index insurance helps or harms farmers.
Downstream Impacts of Mines on Agriculture in Africa
Nikolas Kuschnig presents a study of how mining-induced water pollution affects downstream vegetation and agricultural productivity across Africa. Using a river-basin discontinuity design, remotely sensed mine locations, cropland masks, and vegetation indicators, the paper compares conditions upstream and downstream of mining sites. The results suggest that mining reduces downstream vegetation health and cropland productivity, especially in more fertile regions and areas affected by gold mining.
Together, the session demonstrates how geospatial evidence can reveal environmental harms, recovery benefits, and institutional design challenges that are difficult to measure through conventional data alone. The presentations show the value of pairing Earth observation with credible identification strategies, administrative or field data, and careful attention to mechanisms, costs, and policy incentives.