Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solution

The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in the Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative. This opportunity aims to support the development of innovative services that leverage space technology to enhance agricultural monitoring and management. The call for proposals welcomes submissions for feasibility studies and demonstration projects.

The ESA is seeking business ideas that demonstrate:

• Clear market opportunities and customer needs
• Commercially viable service concepts
• Feasible technical solutions
• Effective use of space data or technology
• Teams with strong business, technical, and financial expertise

The Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative focuses on leveraging space technology to enhance various aspects of agricultural management. Key topics include:

• Crop Classification: Advanced data analysis can improve the classification of grass types and mixed crops, aiding in better agricultural management and regulatory compliance.
• Soil Property Mapping: Accurate soil property maps help manage fertilisation and understand soil health, leading to better agricultural practices and reduced environmental impact.
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Mapping: Identifying areas with high emissions of greenhouse gases from soils supports carbon emission reduction strategies.
• Peatland Delineation: Mapping carbon-rich soils accurately helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying areas that should be exempt from farming.
• Afforestation Monitoring: Monitoring afforestation projects and existing forests involves classifying tree species and assessing biomass and carbon uptake.
• Bare Soil and Plant Cover Ratio: Determining the ratio of bare soil to plant cover ensures compliance with regulations requiring sufficient plant cover.
• Catch Crop Monitoring: Monitoring catch crops is crucial for maintaining soil health and complying with agricultural regulations.
• Grazing Activity Detection: Detecting grazing activities and livestock presence helps manage land use and ensure adherence to regulations.
• Management of Buffer Zones Surrounding Water Bodies: Maintaining buffer zones around water bodies protects water quality and prevents contamination from agricultural runoff.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating and managing risks associated with agricultural practices using advanced data analytics, weather monitoring, and historical agricultural data.

Value of Space and other technologies

• Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO)
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
• Satellite Communication (SatCom)
• High Power Computing (HPC)
• Digital Twins (DTs)

Application Process

• Activity Pitch Questionnaire
• Outline Proposal
• Full Proposal