European Space Agency: Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions

Funded participation to ESA Business Applications is open to any company and/or organisation, be it as group of users, public body or non-governmental organisation, residing in any of those states that subscribe to the BASS programme (this includes the UK).

Agricultural monitoring and management are essential for sustainable farming practices and regulatory compliance. Innovative solutions leveraging space technology can enhance crop classification, soil property mapping, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and afforestation monitoring. The growing market for these solutions is driven by increasing food demand, precision farming techniques, and technologies like AI, IoT, and big data, which enable real-time monitoring and optimised resource allocation.

The Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative focuses on leveraging space technology to enhance various aspects of agricultural management. Key topics include:

• Crop Classification: Advanced data analysis can improve the classification of grass types and mixed crops, aiding in better agricultural management and regulatory compliance.
• Soil Property Mapping: Accurate soil property maps help manage fertilisation and understand soil health, leading to better agricultural practices and reduced environmental impact.
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Mapping: Identifying areas with high emissions of greenhouse gases from soils supports carbon emission reduction strategies.
• Peatland Delineation: Mapping carbon-rich soils accurately helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying areas that should be exempt from farming.
• Afforestation Monitoring: Monitoring afforestation projects and existing forests involves classifying tree species and assessing biomass and carbon uptake.
• Bare Soil and Plant Cover Ratio: Determining the ratio of bare soil to plant cover ensures compliance with regulations requiring sufficient plant cover.
• Catch Crop Monitoring: Monitoring catch crops is crucial for maintaining soil health and complying with agricultural regulations.
• Grazing Activity Detection: Detecting grazing activities and livestock presence helps manage land use and ensure adherence to regulations.
• Management of Buffer Zones Surrounding Water Bodies: Maintaining buffer zones around water bodies protects water quality and prevents contamination from agricultural runoff.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating and managing risks associated with agricultural practices using advanced data analytics, weather monitoring, and historical agricultural data.

These innovative solutions aim to boost the digital transformation of the agricultural sector while meeting economic, environmental, and societal objectives required by both private and public stakeholders.

• Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO) provides critical data for agricultural and environmental monitoring, resource management, and policy-making. Hyperspectral and multispectral satellite data can identify crops, differentiate crop or tree types, and provide insights on crop health. SatEO can also monitor changes over time, such as crop growth, vegetation changes, or changes in land use. Additionally, SatEO data can be used to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, indicating their source and levels, and provide data on soil moisture levels and flood extents, which are crucial for managing irrigation, predicting droughts, and responding to flood events.
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS and Galileo, are crucial for precision agriculture. They provide accurate geolocation of agricultural parcels, facilitating precise monitoring and management of crops. Autonomous farming equipment, including self-driving tractors and harvesters, rely on satellite navigation for accurate operation, enabling tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting with high precision.
• Satellite communications enhance the efficiency and reliability of data transmission for agricultural monitoring. Real-time connectivity enables the seamless transfer of large datasets from remote sensing satellites to ground stations and end-users, ensuring timely access to critical information for decision-making and compliance monitoring. Satellite communications also support the integration of IoT devices in agriculture, facilitating the collection and transmission of field data for improved crop management and resource optimisation.
• Digital twins can significantly enhance agricultural monitoring and management by creating virtual replicas of physical farming environments. These digital models integrate data from satellite earth observation, satellite navigation, and satellite communications to provide a comprehensive and dynamic representation of agricultural fields. Digital twins enable real-time monitoring, simulation, and analysis of crop health, soil conditions, and farm operations, allowing for predictive insights and optimised decision-making.

ESA offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. The offer includes:

• zero-equity funding (50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
• technical and commercial guidance
• access to ESA network and partners
• ESA brand credibility

If you would like to find a project partner, or to contact the UK National Delegation, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team.