Space-Based Solutions for a Sustainable and Resilient Global Agriculture System

The report explores how space technology, including satellite imagery, GNSS, and remote sensing, is transforming agriculture by enhancing food security, resource management, and climate resilience. It highlights case studies, challenges, and future opportunities for integrating space-based solutions into global farming practices.

The report Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security, co-authored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), explores the critical role of space technology in modern agriculture. Research contributions from institutions such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the University of Maryland, the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM), and the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) highlight how satellite-based data is transforming food production and land management. With the world’s population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, securing a stable food supply remains a major challenge. Traditional farming practices struggle to meet the growing demand, as climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity continue to impact global agriculture. Advanced technologies, including satellite imagery, remote sensing, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), are playing an increasingly vital role in optimizing agricultural resources, enhancing food security, and building resilience against environmental challenges.

Space-Based Agriculture: A Revolution in Farming

The adoption of space technology in agriculture has revolutionized farming practices, making them more data-driven and efficient. Satellite imagery has become indispensable for monitoring crop health, tracking land-use changes, assessing soil moisture, and detecting early signs of drought or flooding. Earth observation missions such as NASA’s Landsat program and the European Union’s Copernicus initiative provide high-resolution, real-time data that help policymakers, researchers, and farmers make informed decisions. GNSS technology further enhances agricultural efficiency by enabling precision farming techniques, which reduce input waste, optimize irrigation, and improve fertilization strategies. Advanced climate monitoring satellites contribute to more accurate weather forecasting, allowing agricultural stakeholders to prepare for extreme conditions such as droughts, storms, and temperature fluctuations. The combination of these space-driven tools is helping transition global agriculture towards a more sustainable and technologically sophisticated future.

The Space Technology Value Chain in Agriculture

The agricultural applications of space technology can be divided into three primary segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream. The upstream segment involves the development of space infrastructure, including Earth observation satellites and GNSS positioning systems that capture critical agricultural data. The midstream segment focuses on data management, where information collected from satellites is processed, stored, and distributed through platforms such as Google Earth Engine, Microsoft Azure, and FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform. These cloud-based systems allow for seamless access to vast datasets, making agricultural insights more widely available. Finally, the downstream segment is where satellite data is applied in real-world scenarios. This includes precision farming, food security monitoring, and early warning systems that help governments and international organizations respond to potential agricultural crises. Together, these segments form a value chain that ensures space technology is effectively integrated into agriculture, supporting farmers, policymakers, and researchers in optimizing food production and land management.

Case Studies: Transforming Agriculture with Satellite Data

Several successful case studies highlight the transformative impact of space technology on agriculture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a collaboration between NASA Harvest, Planet Labs, and the University of Maryland helped the Togolese government mitigate food shortages by providing satellite-based agricultural insights. Using machine learning and high-resolution imagery, the initiative created detailed crop maps that enabled the rapid identification of food-insecure regions, allowing for targeted intervention. Another example is FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, which integrates over two million layers of satellite and agricultural data to support decision-making on agricultural investments and policy planning. Additionally, the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM) initiative uses satellite imagery to monitor crop conditions worldwide, helping nations anticipate food supply fluctuations and potential shortages. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cropland Data Layer (CDL) is another example, providing detailed crop type and land-cover maps that improve agricultural forecasting. These projects underscore the value of space technology in driving data-driven decision-making and enhancing global food security.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite its enormous potential, the widespread adoption of space technology in agriculture faces several obstacles. High costs and limited technical expertise prevent many developing nations from fully utilizing satellite-derived agricultural insights. Data accessibility and interoperability issues also remain significant, as different geospatial platforms often operate in isolation, making it difficult to integrate diverse data sources. Additionally, the rapid increase in satellite launches raises concerns about space debris and the long-term sustainability of orbital infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires international collaboration, investment in capacity-building programs, and initiatives that promote open-access satellite data. Expanding geospatial education and training opportunities in developing countries can also enhance their ability to leverage space-based agricultural solutions. Moving forward, advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and hyperspectral imaging will further refine satellite-based agricultural analytics, improving crop forecasting and resource management. The expansion of small satellite constellations and cloud computing platforms will also make high-resolution agricultural monitoring more accessible and cost-effective. The continued evolution of global geospatial frameworks, such as the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF), will enhance standardization and data-sharing protocols, facilitating broader integration of space technology into agriculture.

As space-driven agricultural innovations continue to expand, their impact on global food security will become increasingly significant. Governments, research institutions, and private enterprises must work together to ensure that space-based solutions reach the farmers and communities that need them most. By investing in research, technology development, and international partnerships, the agricultural sector can harness the full potential of space technology to combat food insecurity and environmental challenges. The future of farming will be shaped by data, precision, and connectivity, ensuring that agriculture remains resilient, sustainable, and capable of feeding the world’s growing population. Space technology is not just an asset for exploration—it is an essential tool for sustaining life on Earth.