Agriculture

As the Earths population increases exponentially, the demand for food will strain our agricultural production. The ability to predict crop production to avert famine is as variable as the weather. Earth Observation can help track, plan, and monitor production to maximize output and minimize the negative impact on our planet.

Landsat has sufficient resolution to map several general features such as:

• types of crops
• measure acreage, biomass and health
• monitor soil condition and crop harvest

SPOT 5 Panchromatic, although similar resolution to IRS provides more detail and contrast within each feature:

• trees, hedgerows, irrigation and water courses
• discriminate types of grassland and crops
• ideal for monitoring

IKONOS & Quickbird High Resolution:

• tree crowns in orchards
• crop and soil types
• ideal for small field and high value crops

Image: DigitalGlobe

Image: Space Imaging