Crop data to be augmented using satellite technology
In an effort to settle disputes over crop data, especially in Punjab, a new programme aims to use satellite technology to obtain accurate crop cultivation figures. Unreliable figures on total acreage and production of a specific crop have remained a persistent issue for the country. The lack of accurate information makes it difficult for stakeholders, including government departments, to frame import and export strategies to meet national needs. The new satellite-based system, set to be launched next year, is expected to resolve this long-standing problem. This initiative, a brainchild of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), will involve a collaboration between China and the country’s Land Information and Management System (LIMS), launched in 2023 to optimise agricultural production through innovative technologies, and sustainable agricultural practices.