FAO Report: ‘Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security’

Context:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently released a report titled ‘Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security’, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The report discusses the challenges and opportunities in different segments of the space sector as they relate to agriculture.

Challenges and Opportunities in Space for Agriculture

The report is structured around three key segments of the space sector: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream.

1. Upstream (Space Infrastructure Development)

• Challenges:
• Reliance on external support for satellite development.
• Stagnation in remote-sensing innovation, limiting the potential for new advancements in agricultural applications.
• Opportunities:
• Capacity-building initiatives like Access to Space for All and the BIRDS project aim to develop national capabilities in mission planning and satellite development, focusing on agricultural applications.

2. Midstream (Data Processing, Storage, and Management)

• Challenges:
• Limited access to Earth observation and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data.
• Overlapping platforms for data access, leading to data inconsistencies and inefficiencies.
• Opportunities:
• Initiatives like the ESA’s Copernicus Open Access Hub and NASA’s Earth Data platforms aim to reduce data duplication and improve data-sharing efficiency, benefiting agricultural research and applications.

3. Downstream (Practical Agricultural Uses)

• Challenges:
• Agricultural monitoring gaps such as missing crop calendars, meteorological data, and cropland maps, which hinder effective monitoring and decision-making.
• Opportunities:
• Collaborations for initiatives like GEOGLAM (Global Agricultural Monitoring) and ESA’s World Cereal program aim to improve data sharing and standardization, ensuring better monitoring and management of agricultural resources.

Conclusion

The FAO's report highlights the vast potential of space technology in improving agricultural development and food security. By addressing the challenges in the space sector and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, space technology can significantly contribute to more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.