Remote Sensing for Sustainable Agriculture

January 10, 2013 by greenskyindia 2 Comments

Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies are being used all across the world to help attain sustainable agriculture. As per Wikipedia, “Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth (both on the surface, and in the atmosphere and oceans) by means of propagated signals (e.g. electromagnetic radiation emitted from aircraft or satellites).” Availability of earth observation data enables us to take a step in the direction of sustainable agriculture in a number of ways. By identifying wastelands we can increase the area under agriculture. Moreover due to more site specific information, it also helps increase the area under high yielding varieties. It also helps identify irrigation potential and preserve eco-diversity. Remote sensing has a long history in the Food and Agricultural Association (FAO) as well. In certain high priority areas, cropping season is monitored using earth observation data. FAO also recognizes the need of agricultural monitoring activities for its member countries as a step towards sustainable agriculture and better food security. In India as well, these technologies are being used in areas such as cropping system analysis; agro-ecological zonation; quantitative assessment of soil carbon dynamics and land productivity; soil erosion inventory; integrated agricultural drought assessment and management and Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) [1]. Cropping system analysis helps determine area of low agricultural productivity. These areas can then be made to improve their productivity by methods such as introduction of new crops in those areas. Agro-ecological zonation helps identify zones with similar agro-climatic conditions and soil and hence help in laying out better informed landuse plans. Governments need such extensive data before taking decisions and method such as large-scale surveys are expensive and time consuming. Crop Acreage and Production Estimation (CAPE) is a project by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India running since 1991. The project provides crop production forecasts from the crop sowing stage till the end of season based on remote sensing data and weather data. Therefore, it can be observed that importance of remote sensing in Indian agriculture was realized long time back, but it still needs better implementation. Remote sensing can definitely benefit Indian agriculture a lot more than what it is doing today.

[1] Bhan, S.K., Saha, S.K., Pande, L.M., Prasad, J., Use of Remote Sensing and GIS Technology in Sustainable Agriculture Management and Development. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, NRSA, Dehradun.