By searching in many resources, especially the ones recommended by NASA, we have found that many countries in Africa have imposed quarantine measures at some level of geographic administration for a short or longer period. The measures restrict people’s and labour mobility, reducing economic activity and gradually impacting on food systems which will turn the health shock to a production system and food insecurity one. If agricultural tasks are not performed on time, crops ready for harvest may be lost, while planting may not be feasible, challenging in this way future food availability. In other words, food production systems may collapse. This is especially true for countries where agricultural systems are labour intensive like in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
We chose this challenge because it inspired us to think more how it can be safer for the world during planting, harvesting, transporting, selling until eating food and what should countries do to get over this pandemic situation without affecting the food production. We used a simple way to introduce this challenge to the world, we made a graphic story telling the world what should be done for our food during Covid-19 pandemic. For NASA resources, we have visited earth data website and Giovanni application to know more about temperature of earth, amount of rains and the soil moisture to predict more accurate solution for the future. Also the website for “the food and agriculture organization of the united nations”, which is recommended by NASA, has been so useful for us as it provide us with trusted information about crops calendar in our continent Africa and what is the challenges facing it during the pandemic.
For the tools we used, firstly, we made manual sketches for the whole graphic novel using simple lines on A4 paper. Then, we scanned the sketches and placed them in Adobe Illustrator. Secondly, we started to trace the sketches and making the lines of the characters bold and noticeable using pen tool and brushes. Thirdly, we refined the edges and made it smoother. Then, we put them into squares and panels to give the impression of a graphic/ comic book. Finally, we colored the characters with simple, few colors to give the story a joyful spirit and we put them in an ordered boxes/ squares. After finishing drawing and coloring, we moved the whole novel to Adobe InDesign in order to export the novel in a neat version, as Adobe InDesign helped in the alignment of the boxes/ squares.
During creating our graphic novel, we faced various dilemmas, for instance, converting our hard copy into a displayed-on-computer copy, that is why this step was really time-consuming. Another obstacle was us facing some technical problems and tools which we didn't know how to deal with, but eventually, we used online YouTube tutorials as a guide to help us solve and handle these serious obstacles.
Moreover, our team have achieved an absolute progression in a very short period of time. Achieving a common goal and our determined and focused minds made us complete our tasks faster, in addition to, promoting a more efficient output in approximately a couple of days.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2022). Crop calendars and recommended actions during the Covid-19 outbreak in the Africa region. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/ca8632en/ca8632en.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2020). COVID-19 and the risk to food supply chains: How to respond? Retrieved from https://youtu.be/z-6XoIOtbEg
Giovanni Measurement. (n.d.). Soil Moisture. Retrieved from https://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/information/glossary?keywords=giovanni%20measurements&title=Giovanni%20Measurement%20Definitions:%20Soil%20Moisture
International Bar Association (2020). Covid-19 and the risk to food supply chains. Retrieved from https://www.ibanet.org/Article/NewDetail.aspx?ArticleUid=0fbd6bd3-27c9-43c8-a177-468dfc432dc4
LP DAAC (2020). Upcoming Release of LP DAAC MODIS Version 6.1 Data Products. Retrieved from https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/news/upcoming-release-lp-daac-modis-version-61-data-products/