ISRO satellites forecast wheat production, assess crop condition, Pg14

• ISRO has estimated total wheat production from 8 major states to be 122.724 million tonnes as of March 31, 2025.

• The estimate was done using ISRO’s Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress (CROP) system.

• The system allows near real-time monitoring of crop sowing and harvesting during the Rabi season.

Detailed Insights:

• States covered: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra.

• Assessment used data from satellites EOS-04 (RISAT-1A), EOS-06 (Oceansat-3), and Resourcesat-2A for 2024-25.

• Crop growth simulation model used 5×5 km spatial resolution to assess crop area, sowing date, and crop condition.

• Satellite data showed wheat sown area as of March 31, 2025 to be 330.8 lakh hectares.

Significance:

• Enhances accuracy of national crop estimation and supports data-driven agricultural policy.

• Enables real-time agricultural monitoring, helping in planning procurement, food security, and price management.

• Showcases India’s use of space technology for precision agriculture and food system resilience.

Analysis & Way Forward:

• Such data-integrated agriculture models are crucial for a climate-resilient economy.

• Can be expanded to include other crops and climatic zones.

• States should integrate these findings with local-level planning, MSP procurement, and contingency crop planning.

Mains Mock Question:

Discuss how remote sensing technologies like ISRO’s CROP framework can transform agricultural monitoring and crop estimation in India. What are the implications for food security and rural economy?