Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Earth observation experts came together at a webinar organised by the European GNSS Agency (GSA) on 26 May to discuss how combining navigation and positioning from the European GNSS (EGNSS), EGNOS and Galileo, with the data and services offered by the European Earth observation programme, Copernicus, it is possible a more efficient and sustainable agriculture.
Synergies between positioning data from Galileo and EGNOS and Earth observation data from Copernicus offer huge untapped potential for making the agriculture sector more efficient, resilient and sustainable. The agricultural sector was an early adopter of Europe’s satellite augmentation service EGNOS and over 95% of agricultural receivers in Europe are currently EGNOS-enabled. ”EGNOS usage in European farming is a reality. Hundreds of thousands of cereal farmers benefit from free enhanced GPS accuracy. Thanks to EGNOS, crop productivity is increased and more sustainable farming is possible”, said Sofía Cilla from the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP). EGNOS-based solutions are used for the so called “low-value” crops (cereals for instance) for different tasks such as ploughing, fertilizing and sowing.
“GNSS has become an integral part of smart, connected and integrated farm management solutions and is a key driver for precision farming across the whole crop cycle”, said Joaquín Reyes González, Market Development Technology Officer at the GSA. But it is when European GNSS and Earth observation services work in synergy that the benefits are most keenly felt. Synergies between EGNSS and Copernicus support a number of agriculture solutions, such as irrigation and variable rate applications which enable the precise use of fertilisers and pesticides where and when they are most needed, thereby making the sector more resource-efficient and reducing its environmental footprint. You can watch the webinar in this link. More information about the webinar content at News section.