From Seeds to Satellites: Supporting Food Security Through Satellite Technology
June 3, 2024 - Written By Mary Mitkish (NASA Harvest)
NASA Harvest and NASA Acres, two pioneering NASA Consortia focused on food security and agriculture at global and domestic scales, respectively, recently showcased their groundbreaking contributions at the Joint NASA and USDA Seeds to Satellites exposition. The event held at the Rayburn Building in Washington, DC, served as a platform for highlighting how remotely-sensed Earth observations play a pivotal role in agriculture monitoring and in supporting food security initiatives and policies.
Amidst the challenges faced by farmers around the globe, the utilization of cutting-edge technology has become imperative to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and safeguard food supplies. NASA Harvest and NASA Acres stand at the forefront of this technological revolution, leveraging the power of satellite imagery and data analytics to address critical issues in agriculture and help communities respond to food security threats.
At the expo, attendees were immersed in a world of innovation as they delved into the intricacies of how NASA's satellite technology supports farmers' needs, contributes to early warning of impending food production and supply chain threats, and provides valuable information in the face of food security disasters. Through discussion and interactive demonstrations, the consortia showcased the diverse applications of satellite data, yield modeling, and web-based tools for agriculture analyses.
NASA Harvest, with its focus on global food security, presented its efforts in utilizing satellite observations to monitor crop health, predict yield, and assess agricultural risks. By harnessing data from a constellation of Earth-observing satellites, NASA Harvest provides valuable insights into crop conditions, enabling timely interventions and informed decision-making for farmers worldwide.
On a national scale, NASA Acres showcased its commitment to supporting U.S. agriculture by harnessing satellite data for precision agriculture and resource management. From mapping crop acreage to exploring how different climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices impact soil health, NASA Acres demonstrated how satellite technology empowers farmers to optimize inputs, increase efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts.
“We are always grateful for the opportunity to share the important work that NASA’s Food Security and Agriculture Consortia do in utilizing satellite data to enhance food security and agricultural practices worldwide. Our teams work tirelessly to help inform critical food security decisions and ensure that communities around the world can rely on accurate, timely information when making decisions that impact food availability from national to global scales,” says Mary Mitkish, NASA Harvest Deputy Director.
The expo served as a testament to the transformative opportunities for collaboration between NASA, USDA, and the agricultural community at large. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and on-the-ground agriculture, NASA’s consortia are driving innovation and resilience in the face of evolving challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and food availability.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to feed a growing population sustainably, the role of satellite technology in agriculture cannot be overstated. Through initiatives like NASA Harvest and NASA Acres, NASA continues to pioneer solutions that not only meet the needs of farmers but also contribute to the broader goals of food security, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity.