2014 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 27-33
Agricultural statistics or early warning information from satellite earth observations is useful tool for food security related decision-making. In cooperation with foreign and Japanese universities, research institutes and end-users, Japan AerospaceExploration Agency (JAXA) have been working on the application of earth observation data to food security area. A comprehensive crop monitoring system utilizing earth observation data consists of mainly three subsystems: (1) crop area mapping; (2) agro-weather and crop condition monitoring; and (3) yield and production estimation. We have already developed prototype systems for rice cultivation area mapping and agro-weather monitoring such as soil moisture or drought index. At present, some systems are used in end-user agencies for daily operations. In this paper, we introduce the international framework for global agriculture monitoring by earth observation data and prototype systems for agricultural monitoring developed by JAXA.
