Frascati, May, 2024 – How can earth observation via satellites enable are more sustainable agriculture, mitigate climate change risks and ensure food security?

Vista attended the EO for Agriculture Under Pressure 2024 Workshop in Frascati, Italy this week to present solutions and discuss with experts on these pressing matters.

The event was hosted by the European space agency (esa) to gather the community and discuss the latest in Earth Observation (EO) research in support of sustainable agriculture.

The workshop aimed to present the current state of EO technology and identify key research challenges in aiding sustainable agriculture amidst various pressures.

Topics covered wrapped around impact on climate end environment, crop stressors and climate adaption, food security and new technologies.

The objectives of the event were to present EO’s role in evidence-based decision-making for food security, to explore novel EO capabilities for climate change resilience in agriculture, to discuss transferring EO science into sustainable agriculture practices, to exchange developments in algorithms and applications for agricultural monitoring and to demonstrate EO’s relevance for policy reporting and monitoring obligations.

Our CEO, Dr. Heike Bach, and colleague Solveig Blöcher were at site and had insightful discussions, exchanged ideas, and showcased how satellite data combined with Vista’s unique digital twinning approach can revolutionize farming practices.

One important topic was agricultural production in times of crisis. Our colleague Solveig Blöcher presented “Resilience under Extreme Circumstances – Harvest and Yield Estimation for Ukraine.” This vital work highlights the incredible resilience of Ukrainian agriculture amidst challenging conditions and how earth observation based solutions can help to gather important information without at-site input. Solveig’s presentation delved into advanced methods for estimating yields and harvests, showcasing the importance of accurate agricultural data in times of crisis.

The presentation also offered a glimpse into the future with the STELAR Project. By leveraging Knowledge Lakes, STELAR aims to enhance yield predictions with unprecedented precision. This innovative approach promises to transform agricultural forecasting, providing critical insights and support for farmers worldwide.

A highlight was the opportunity to present our work in the context of the ARIES Project, which goal it is to generate innovative products using hyperspectral and thermal satellite data for drought monitoring in Africa.

Additionally, we showcased Vista’s solution for carbon farming.