How does satellite crop monitoring work?
The satellite crop monitoring technology is new technology in Agri-management. It works on the basis of remote sensing technology. Farmers need to take timely decisions to avoid losses. Specifically, in crop management a single failure in assessing problems may lead to a total loss of the crop.
Furthermore, the traditional method includes an on-field assessment on a weekly basis. Then, manually analyzing data which may lead to human errors. The on-field study is cumbersome and time-consuming process. So, delay in decision making is a common sight.
In addition, the large landholding needs more human resources to carry out the assessment. Currently, labor issues in the field of agriculture are prevailing. Here comes the satellite crop monitoring technology.
satellite crop monitoring technology
Basically, satellite crop monitoring is nothing but a spectral analysis of crop. This technology helps to monitor crop vegetation index in real-time with spectral analysis.
Furthermore, the high-resolution satellite images of crops help to track positive and negative crop development. The difference in vegetation index informs farmers about deficiencies or diseases. Vegetation index in simple language is nothing but the difference in leaf color.
All the crops undergo periodic vegetative changes. Crops change colour as they mature and grow. As we can see rice fields are ready to harvest when the leaves turn yellowish. So, leaves of the crop give detail insights into plant health. They also tell about ongoing diseases or any upcoming disease. It’s just like humans. We feel low when something is not right in our bodies. In exact same way, the plant reacts through leaves.
Furthermore, we can use these changes in color in order to identify deficiencies or diseases in crops. The satellite data and online analytical data can be helpful in decision making. What decision you take during the growth period of the crop directly affects the final yield and quality.
Real-time monitoring
In addition, as of today, you can literally monitor your crop through a browser and mobile app. These solutions are cheaper and you can manage large areas easily. You can simply manage any farm in the world via web-based software. You can analyze the land for a long period of time. Thus, you have all the data to create historical field maps. You can create field productivity maps and make data-driven decisions.
All these aspects of satellite crop monitoring technology can be a game-changer. You can synchronize and track the tasks all at one place. You can mark the area in question with GPS co-ordinates. The expert then goes to the exact location in the field, takes the picture and uploads it into the system. You can analyze the situation & take the necessary action.
Advantages
The most important advantage is timely decision making. As it has a key role in agriculture. Farmers can forecast crop yields and control vegetation. They can also do smart fertigation by using this technology. An agronomist can predict exact harvesting time. Farmers can track crop development.
Furthermore, business owners can predict the exact capital requirement. The investors can analyze how much to invest. Insurance companies can use this data for risk assessment. They can also analyze historical weather data. These companies can also see the land use and predict yields.
In addition, traders and brokers can predict and plan the sell as per crop yield data. They can also pre-plan logistics requirements. Traders can also forecast the market trend by using this data. The agriculture machinery producers can use this data and integrate it into their product. This data is very useful in commercial forest cultivation and planning.
In conclusion, satellite crop monitoring will bring precision to agriculture. The farmers can make data-driven decisions & thereby further increase yields.
Image courtesy: EOS(Earth Observing System), Planet Labs Inc, Arable
watch satellite crop monitoring in action
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