Satellites bring “sweet fruit” to Indian agriculture

More and more technology companies and startups are emerging in the agricultural sector in India with solutions in the field of industrial technology (Agritech). Among them, the startup Cropin stands out, with its satellite data application that can optimize agricultural activities, bringing high economic efficiency.

Cropin's satellite app supports Indian farmers. Photo: REUTERS

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about 70% of rural households in India still depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The use of advanced technologies in agriculture helps Indian farmers grasp data information such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed... to optimize the entire production system, bringing superior productivity compared to traditional farming, while minimizing the risk of disease and improving the nutritional content of the product.

Lokeswara Reddy, 52, is one of the farmers reaping the benefits of Cropin’s satellite data. Ten years ago, climate change, high input costs, labor shortages, and erratic weather conditions were cutting into Mr. Reddy’s income. Now, using satellite weather forecasts, he can choose the right time to sow his crops, and then irrigate and spray pesticides accordingly. As a result, his net profit per acre of corn on his farm in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has increased from 5,000-10,000 rupees (nearly $60-$120) to 20,000 rupees ($240).

According to an analysis by Cropin, since 2019, the company’s project with farmers in 244 villages has digitized more than 30,000 farm plots, where 77 crop varieties are grown. 92% of participating farmers have seen an average yield increase of 30% and their revenue increase of nearly 37%. Cropin has recorded similar positive figures in Africa.

The startup Cropin, founded in 2010 and backed by both tech giant Google and the Gates Foundation, has spent 12 years developing a range of digital technologies and using data collected from the agricultural industry, with the aim of bringing smart tools to businesses and other key players in the sector's value chain, helping them make the right decisions. For example, which crops to plant, when and where to plant them, how much irrigation and fertilizer to use to optimize yields, how to prevent crop diseases, etc. Recently, the company signed a deal with Amazon Web Services to process satellite data to address global food insecurity.

Many non-profit organizations and agriculture experts say that space technology and big data are expected to help Indian agriculture reach new heights. Meanwhile, India-based data analytics firm Market Research Future said the global space agriculture market will reach $11.51 billion by 2032, up from $4.99 billion in 2023. Although China accounts for the largest market share, the sector in India is growing faster than anywhere else in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ve-tinh-mang-lai-qua-ngot-cho-nong-nghiep-an-do-post740833.html