Overview of the GEO Global Agricultural Monitoring

(GEOGLAM) Initiative

Alyssa Whitcraft GEOGLAM Component 4 Co-Lead

GEOGLAM Secretariat & University of Maryland, USA

alyssakw@umd.edu

Policy Framework for GEOGLAM

GEOGLAM is implemented through 6 Components

Example Highlights from 3 GEOGLAM Components

GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for AMIS• Objective: transparent, timely, crop condition assessments

in primary agricultural production areas highlighting potential hotspots of stress/bumper crop

• Focus: stabilizing/calming markets• Reflecting an international consensus of crop conditions,

building on existing systems• Four crops: Wheat, maize, soybean, rice (9 total seasons)• Response to G-20 AMIS request• End Users: AMIS Community

http://www.geoglam-crop-monitor.org

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AMIS Countries

Account for close to 90% of global production of 4 main crops

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GEOGLAM Crop Monitor Partners

> 35 Partners and Growing

GEOGLAM EO-Derived Best Available Multi-Season Crop Masks

Maize Soybeans

Rice

Spring WheatWinter Wheat

Best Available Multi-Season Crop CalendarsWinter & Spring Wheat Maize 1 & Maize 2

Soybean 1 & Soybean 2Rice 1, Rice 2 & Rice 3

Based on Crop Monitor Partner Inputs

Condition Synthesis Maps Covering All AMIS CropsCrop Conditions & Drivers as of October 28, 2015

Crops that are in other than favorable conditions are displayed on the map with their crop symbol & driver. Also provided for each crop.

Quick and easy to interpret crop conditionsoriented for non RS community

Operational Monthly Bulletin since 2013Published in the AMIS Market Monitor

Developing an Early Warning Crop Monitor

September 2014 Synthesis April 2015 Synthesis

Results of an early FEWS NET prototype showing two time periods with different zones in season

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Initiation of National Crop Monitors: Tanzania Example

Cross-Cutting EO-Data Coordination

• Establishment of CEOS Ad Hoc WG (2012)– Endorsement of group at CEOS

Plenary, 2013-2015

• Development/refinement of long-term EO data requirements for agriculture monitoring

• Evaluation of CEOS mission capacity to meet EQ req’s– Gap identification

First Meeting of CEOS Ad Hoc WG (CSA, 2012)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

Spatial Resolution

Spectral Range

Effective observ.

frequency (cloud free)

ExtentField Size

Target Products

Req#

Crop Mask

Crop Type Area and Growing Calendar

Crop Condition Indicators

Crop Yield

Crop Biophys. Variables

Environ. Variables

Ag Practices / Cropping Systems

Coarse Resolution Sampling (>100m)

1 500 - 2000m optical Daily Wall-to-Wall All X L

2 100-500m optical 2 to 5 per weekCropland

extentAll X X X L L X L

3 5-50 km microwave DailyCropland

extentAll X X X X

Moderate Resolution Sampling (10 to 100m)

4 10-70m optical

Monthly (min 3 in season + 2 out

of season); Required every

1-3 years

Cropland extent (if #5 = sample, else skip)

All X L/M X

5 10-70m optical8 days; min. 1 per 16 days

Sample (pref. Cropland extent)

All X X X X X X X

6 10-100m SAR8 days; min. 1 per 16 days

Cropland extent of

persistantly cloudy and rice areas

All X X X X X X X

Fine Resolution Sampling (5 to 10m)

7 5-10mVIS NIR +

SWIRMonthly (min. 3

in season)Cropland

extentM/S M/S M/S

8 5-10mVIS NIR +

SWIR

Approx. weekly; min. 5 per

seasonSample All M/S X X X X

9 5-10m SAR Monthly

Cropland extent of

persistantly cloudy and rice areas

M/S M/S M/S M/S

Very Fine Resolution Sampling (<5m)

10 < 5m VIS NIR

3 per year (2 in season + 1 out

of season); Every 3 years

Cropland extent of

small fieldsS S S

11 < 5m VIS NIR 1 to 2 per monthRefined Sample (Demo)

All X X X

Impacts of GEOGLAM-CEOS Coordination• Strengthened case for international

space agency coordination

• Influenced individual mission acquisition strategies and future mission planning, with agricultural monitoring focus

• Prototypes of cloud-based space data management systems for JECAM & Asia-RiCE

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Whitcraft, et al., (2015)

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CEOS Support coordinating EO data access for >20 JECAM sites

GEOGLAM GOVERNANCE Structure

SecretariatCoordination, Outreach,

Fundraising

2. National Monitoring Systems

Use of EO data for agricultural monitoring

GEOGLAM External Advisory CommitteeGuidance on Initiative Development

Implementation GroupConsisting of Component Leads

1. Global / Regional Systems

main producer countries, main commodities

3. Monitoring Countries at Risk

food security assessment

4. EO Data coordination (w. CEOS)

5. Research & Development coordination (e.g. JECAM)

6. Capacity Development in EO-based Methods

GEOGLAM Activities and Contributory Projects

GEOGLAM External Advisory CommitteeTop Level Recommendations (from Monday)

• Coordination with CEOS for meeting EO requirements is a top priority • Expand program emphasis from Agricultural Trade to Food Security• Support implementation of post-2015 Development Agenda (SDGs)• Seek re-endorsement from G20 in China (2016) • Enhance South – South Cooperation • Seek more than symbolic support from GEO partners • Develop a strategic partnership plan• Establish communication position at the GEOGLAM Secretariat to engage

other organizations/sectors with the GEOGLAM value proposition

GEOGLAM is already aligned with SDGs

MONITORING PRODUCTIVY IN SMALLHOLDER SYSTEMS

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION FOR R&D

FACILITATE TIMELY ACCESS TO MARKET INFORMATION

Research shows multinational development efforts have the most impact due to trustworthy, transparent, and user-

driven agenda (AidData, 2015)