Agriculture

“Agriculture forms the basis of the world's food supply. Soil conditions, water availability, weather extremes and climate change can represent costly challenges both to farmers and the overall food security of populations. Space-based technology is of value to farmers, agronomists, food manufacturers and agricultural policymakers who wish to simultaneously enhance production and profitability. Remote sensing satellites provide key data for monitoring soil, snow cover, drought and crop development. Rainfall assessments from satellites, for example, help farmers plan the timing and amount of irrigation they will need for their crops. Accurate information and analysis can also help predict a region's agricultural output well in advance and can be critical in anticipating and mitigating the effects of food shortages and famines.” (UNOOSA, 2018)

"Agricultural applications of remote sensing include the following:

 - crop type classification
 - crop condition assessment
 - crop yield estimation
 - mapping of soil characteristics
 - mapping of soil management practices
 - compliance monitoring (farming practices)" (Natural Resources Canada/Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, 2015)

Sources

"Agriculture". Natural Resources Canada, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. Last modified November 25, 2015.
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geomatics/satellite-imagery-air-….
Accessed February 1, 2019.

"Benefits of Space: Agriculture". United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, UNOOSA. 2019.
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/benefits-of-space/agriculture.html.
Accessed February 14, 2019.

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