At present, farmers are unable to receive efficient, precise information about the optimal time for irrigation. Satellites will help the agricultural sector to use water more efficiently by providing this information.

By supplying data on, for example, evaporation and soil moisture, the system will notify farmers when crops are in most need of water. This will increase crop yields and benefit the environment as it reduces leeching nutrients in the soil. The annual economic benefit from the project is estimated at EUR 13.4 million in Denmark alone.

The team behind the project consists of companies from Denmark, Spain and Italy. In collaboration with the agricultural industry, they will create a system that is applicable worldwide. To begin with, the project will take place in Denmark. However, the results will later on be extended to the international market, in areas where water resources are scarce.

-With this project, we will gather the different types of satellite data and utilise it for various information about, for example, the development of crops and crops’ water needs. The system increases the crop yields per litre of water used on the field. It benefits the farmer through increased earnings, as well as helping the environment, which is a win-win situation for everyone, says Project Manager and CEO of Sandholt, Inge Sandholt.

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The data stems from ESA’s satellites and is freely accessible through the EU’s Copernicus programme. The project thus supports Denmark’s space strategy, which focuses on how space may contribute to solving some of our time’s biggest challenges on earth.

The potential is great. As the project progresses, the results will be utilised on the global market as many parts of the world are currently struggling with drought. The possibility of optimising the water consumption in the fields will not only save water, it will also provide a chance to expand the agricultural area. Sustainable utilisation of water resources is vital and the project will help to support the still growing world population.

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Investment
-Investment from Innovation Fund Denmark: EUR 1 million
-Total budget: EUR 1.4 million
-Duration: 3 years
-Official title: MOIST - Managing and Optimizing Irrigation by Satellite Tools

Global potential
-There are over 325 million hectares of agricultural land worldwide.
-An average of 7,700 cubic metres of water per hectare is consumed each year worldwide.
-The need to support the growing population is a great challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where famines occur on a semi-frequent basis.

Facts
-In Denmark, there are 450,000 hectares of agricultural land, which is equivalent to the size of both the islands of Funen and Lolland combined.
-30 per cent of all water from pumps is used to irrigate fields in Denmark.
-The system combines optic data and radar data. The data comes from ESA’s Sentinel satellites.

Source: Innovation Fund Denmark