The concept of precision agriculture adds the accuracy and reliability the industry lacked. Data from space reveals variability in soil and plant properties. It is crucial for optimizing crop management, maximizing yields and minimizing negative environmental impacts. The implementation of what can be called the view from space has strengthened agriculture, allowing growers to monitor the health of soil and plants remotely, but with improved “vision”.
Since the late 1990s, satellite and UAV images have been used for data input. Now, spectral and temporal information can be collected with satellite data. It helps to interpret not only the chlorophyll content of crops, which indicates their viability and biomass, and provides remote soil moisture monitoring.
Multispectral optical radar and synthetic aperture radar data are the most commonly used data sources. Sharing this data provides precision agriculture with valuable new capabilities, including satellite-based soil moisture analytics.
Remote Sensing Application for Farming Lands Monitoring
Satellites provide comprehensive information about plant health and development. Remote sensing technologies reveal different crop threats at an early stage. For instance, growers can notice the first symptoms of diseases or pest attacks before the damage is done, and prevalent potential loses, taking timely measures.
Images taken from space have a wide range of applications. One of the most common options is calculating spectral indices, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
Satellite data provides farmers with a large-scale assessment of soil health. By analyzing images and other geospatial data, farmers can identify differences in soil properties. The list of options includes using remote sensing soil moisture information, nutrient levels and structure. Growers use this information to apply fertilizer accurately and irrigate based on the specific needs of different areas of their fields. Soil mapping using satellite technology also helps identify areas at risk of soil erosion and enables farmers to take preventive measures.
Scouts visit fields to assess crop condition and yield. Satellites provide a bird’s-eye view, allowing growers to observe large areas remotely. Does this mean that scouting tasks are not important? No, this means that they do not have to explore the entire farm searching for problematic areas, but rather go to where the issues have been found to provide more detailed information.
The combination of data from the orbit and machine learning algorithms is also valuable to estimate crop yields. It is crucial for better planning and market forecasting.
How Precision Agriculture Makes Farming Machinery Smarter
With sensors, automated systems, and datasets, farmers can increase yields and reduce resource use. Automation frees up time and resources. Examples include robots that perform repetitive tasks with AI and sensors, and smart machinery that uses GPS and machine learning. Sensors monitor light, soil, humidity, and temperature. The data, including assessment of soil moisture using remote sensing, helps predict optimal planting and fertilizing times and the most efficient planting route.
Farmers can enhance their machine’s performance by implementing and utilizing GPS guidance systems. This technology enables vehicles to navigate around the farm and improve overall efficiency. For instance, it can assist tractors in moving in a straight line and enhance the germination process, ultimately reducing production waste.
Smart and precision vehicles offer several advantages to farmers. One of the significant benefits is that farmers gain more control over the machines. They can customize and modify their equipment to their liking and use it for any project. Although most precision equipment depreciates over time, farmers can retain some value by performing regular maintenance. Buying machines is a better option for farmers who have long-term visions.
Field Zoning in EOSDA Crop Monitoring
Today, the market offers a wide range of impressive technologies. Thanks to soil moisture maps and real-time monitoring, growers can remotely observe the condition of their fields and rationally distribute resources. The list of valuable technological solutions is constantly growing.
Is it possible to get maximum productivity from every part of the field? Yes, field zoning allows each piece of farmland to be processed according to its needs.
EOS Data Analytics is a global provider of AI-driven satellite data analytics. The company creates technological solutions for farming and agriculture to help these industries on their way to sustainability and resource optimization.
The company promotes sustainable development on our planet by merging the latest space technology with human effort. EOSDA offers solutions that encourage sustainable agricultural practices, helping businesses increase profits and adapt to climate change.
EOSDA Crop Monitoring is a precision agriculture platform that uses satellite data to monitor fields. It provides decision-makers with valuable data, such as crop health, weather conditions, and satellite soil moisture data. Growers can use it to detect early-stage crop health issues, reduce costs, and increase yields.
Field zoning is one of the most valuable features in EOSDA crop monitoring. Thanks to it, farmers have the opportunity to determine yield trends in any part of the field and identify problem areas that need exceptional engagement.
Field zoning also enables the implementation of variable rate technologies to use resources efficiently and save costs. The VRA maps are compatible with field machinery. Uploading the variable rate prescription map to agricultural machinery ensures accurate input distribution.
The use of this technology also helps bring agriculture closer to sustainability. Zoning feature application ensures the prevention of fertilizer runoff. Thus, growers can prevent contaminating water bodies, groundwater and soil outside agricultural land with fertilizers, pesticides and other substances.
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