Using transformative technologies for accurately monitoring summer crops in India

– by Sourav Anand, Sales Manager, RMSI Cropalytics

Groundnut and Sesame are vital summer crops in India, fueling our industries. India cultivates the most groundnut area globally, with over 54 lakh hectares and producing a staggering 101 lakh tonnes annually (2021-22)! India isn’t just a groundnut giant; it’s also the world’s leading producer of sesame seeds, boasting an impressive 19.47 lakh hectares under cultivation and 8.66 lakh tonnes of production (as per available data).

The Challenge of Monitoring

These numbers showcase India’s vital role in the global production of these valuable oilseeds. But, assessing their production across vast fields can be a challenge. This blog explores how remote sensing and surveys can accurately monitor these summer crops, ensuring timely insights for farmers and policymakers alike.

IOPEPC Adopting Technology

Indian Oil Seeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) is progressively using the survey and remote sensing-based analysis for crop acreages, tracking the sowing progression, crop health, and harvest progression of crops like Groundnut and Sesame across India.

IOPEPC approached RMSI Cropalytics to conduct remote sensing-based surveys, and it has been partnering with them for the last three years. Recently, RMSI Cropalytics worked with IOPEPC to assess the area and production of Groundnut and Sesame for Summer-2024 crops in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal through extensive farmer surveys, remote sensing-based mapping, and data modeling and validation.

The study had some key requirements:

  • Tracking Sowing Progression and Crop Acreage – Track the sowing progression and the crop acreage across the states to enable the client to understand crop production in advance.
  • Monitoring Crop Health and Canopy Moisture – Remote sensing-based monitoring of crop health to stay upto date on expected crop acreages and production
  • Tracking harvest progression – Tracking of harvest progression across states to give accurate estimates of acreage and production

Analysis Impact

  • RMSI helped to track the sowing and harvest progression across allocated districts for each crop. This helped IOPEPC understand the expected crop acreages and production well in advance during the season. It enabled the client to focus on their priority geographies well in advance and take informative actions wherever necessary.
  • RMSI helped IOPEPC track crop health based on NDVI parameters, canopy surface moisture, and weather factors at a district level for all the target crops (Groundnut and Sesame). Crop health provides IOPEPC a heads-up on quality and production variation during the season.
In a recent meeting to discuss the Rabi Summer Crops Survey 2024 findings, RMSI presented the report on the Sesame & Groundnut crop acreages for UP & WB through Remote sensing and Farmer surveys.
National Sales Head Ritabrata Mitra (second from left) and AGM-Modeling, SM Maqsood Javed (extreme right) with dignitaries from IOPEPC during their presentation on the Study of Groundnut and Sesame in UP & WB in Summer-2024

Long-term Vision

By embracing data-driven decision-making and cutting-edge technologies, the Government sector is paving the way for a transformative agricultural future. Integrating Remote Sensing (RS) and AI/ML-driven Geographic Information System (GIS) can revolutionize farming practices, empower farmers, and significantly enhance agricultural productivity across the state.

This forward-thinking approach not only strengthens the lifestyle and livelihood of farmers but also sets a robust foundation for sustainable agricultural growth. As these initiatives continue to unfold, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are poised to become a model for leveraging advanced technologies to create resilient agrarian communities.

About RMSI Cropalytics

RMSI Cropalytics provides comprehensive information and data analytics tailored to the Indian agricultural landscape. RMSI Croplaytics has expertise in remote sensing, satellite mapping, and AI/ML-based analytics in agriculture. We have digitally mapped all 6.74 lakh villages and 750+ districts in India to provide data and insights on crops at the village level.

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