Harnessing satellite data for better crop management

Introduction

With the challenges in agriculture growing, satellite technology is becoming a key component of modern precision agriculture. Satellite data, until now mainly associated with research and military applications, is becoming the basis for more accurate management of natural resources. Precision agriculture is opening up new opportunities for farmers and agricultural market traders.

Introduction to Precision Farming

Precision agriculture integrates modern technologies such as GPS, sensors, data analytics and remote sensing to revolutionize the management of agricultural resources. The use of these tools enables more precise decision-making that leads to optimized agricultural processes, reduced waste and increased yields. This allows farmers to better monitor and manage their fields, resulting in higher efficiency and profitability.

Key Monitoring Technologies in Precision Agriculture

1. Ground Sensors:
   • Description: Mounted on agricultural machinery or as stationary points in fields, ground sensors provide precise data on soil conditions and plant growth. These sensors can measure soil moisture, temperature, pH levels, and nutrient levels.
   • Operability: They require a physical presence at the crop site, which is labor-intensive. In addition, installation and maintenance of these devices can be costly.
2. Drones:
   • Description: They allow rapid coverage of a medium-sized area. Offering detailed images and data that can be used to analyze plant and soil health. Drones can be equipped with multispectral and thermal cameras to monitor plant health, detect water stress, and identify diseases and pests.
   • Operability: They require the presence of an operator and are expensive to operate, especially with high flight frequencies and when monitoring large and remote acreages. The high cost of purchasing and maintaining drones can be a barrier for many farmers.
3. Satellite Data:
   • Description: They offer the highest cost effectiveness. Satellite missions such as Sentinel (European Space Agency) and Landsat (NASA) provide free multispectral data that, when processed, provide precise information on crop condition. Satellites can monitor huge areas in a short period of time, which is crucial for large farms.
   • Operability: Satellites can monitor huge areas in a short period of time. The data is regularly updated (e.g., every 5 days) and can be accessed remotely. Resolution of satellite data, although slightly lower than drone data, is usually sufficient to identify areas of lower productivity and crop stress. The data is automatically collected and archived for easy access and analysis through dedicated platforms.

Satellite data efficiency in practice

Satellite data, with its breadth and accessibility, allows to identify problems on a scale that no other method would. This information is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention in cases of crop stress, drought, or improper fertilization. The regularity and wide coverage of satellite data allow continuous assessment of crop health and rapid response to changing conditions. With this data, farmers can also more accurately plan field operations such as irrigation, fertilization and crop protection, resulting in higher efficiency and lower production costs.

Examples of satellite data application

1. Plant health monitoring: Satellites can detect changes in plant health at an early stage, allowing rapid response and minimizing losses. For example, a decrease in chlorophyll levels in plants can indicate nutrient deficiencies, which can be corrected with proper fertilization. It is also easy to identify areas of agricultural takeoff caused by weather or pests.
2. Optimization of fertilization: Analysis of satellite data helps to accurately identify areas of lower productivity, e.g. slower crop growth, which reduces costs and minimizes environmental impact. Instead of fertilizing the entire field uniformly, farmers can apply fertilizer exactly where it is needed, leading to more efficient use of resources.
3. Water management: satellite data can monitor soil moisture and help optimize irrigation, which is especially important in regions with limited water resources. Precise water management can not only increase yields, but also reduce irrigation costs and conserve water resources.

Impact on operational and strategic decisions

Farmers and market traders alike use this data to better plan production and manage risk. For farmers, precise information on crop condition allows to optimize resources and cultivation techniques. As or traders, this information is the foundation for more accurate market forecasts and strategic investment portfolio management. Satellite data enables more predictable and stable production and investment strategies.

Cost-effective advantage of satellite data over other sensors

Satellite data offers a significant cost-efficiency advantage over other sensors, such as ground-based sensors and drones. Ground-based sensors, while precise, are time-consuming and require physical presence, which increases operational costs. Drones, on the other hand, are more flexible and can quickly cover medium-sized areas, but require operators and frequent overflights, which also generates high costs.

Satellite data, available free of charge from missions such as Sentinel and Landsat, offer regular and wide-area monitoring without the need for a permanent operator presence. The resolution of satellite data, although slightly lower than drone data, is usually sufficient to identify areas of lower productivity and crop stress. The latest dedicated agricultural satellite missions, moreover, offer resolutions whose usefulness at the operational level matches that of drones. In addition, the data is automatically collected and archived for easy access and analysis through dedicated platforms.

Summary

The use of satellite reports is a strategic step that increases agricultural productivity and profitability. This data opens up new opportunities for agriculture, enabling efficient resource management on an unprecedented scale. We encourage agricultural entrepreneurs and traders to explore the opportunities offered by precision agriculture to maximize their profits while minimizing their environmental impact. In this regard, our team of experts is at your service 24/7. Contact Harvium and check out our dedicated satellite data platform yourself. You’ll also find the latest news from agricultural markets on our site.