Golden age of satellite technology, but gaps exist

The field of Earth Observation is experiencing unprecedented growth. Satellite hardware and launch costs have fallen dramatically, and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are revolutionizing precision agriculture and automated supply chain monitoring.

Crop tracking and supply chain management using satellite technology is seen as an attractive solution for agricultural companies, investors and regulators alike. However, industry experts point out that there are fundamental problems that cannot be solved with satellite data alone. It is the absence of ‘ground truth’, or on-site verification.

Why satellites alone are not enough

Satellite images can quickly scan a large area, but they have limitations in accurately understanding the quality of actual crops, the status of pests and diseases, and even minute changes in the soil. The data provided by satellites is only a ‘view from the sky’ and cannot completely replace the complex reality that occurs on land.

In the field of agricultural technology (AgTech), this ‘ground truth gap’ directly leads to reliability issues in supply chain management. Even if satellite data shows good crops, unexpected losses may occur in the actual field. Conversely, local problems that are not captured by satellites may affect the overall harvest.

Evolutionary process of precision agriculture technology

The concept of precision agriculture began with the commercialization of GPS technology in the 1990s. In the 2010s, the advent of drones and low-cost satellites greatly improved accessibility to agricultural monitoring, and in the 2020s, real-time crop prediction became possible with the combination of AI analysis technology.

However, despite all these technological advancements, integration between field data collection and satellite data remains a challenge. The need for a ‘hybrid approach’ that combines sensor technology, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and field sampling with satellite data has been consistently raised.

Future outlook [AI analysis]

The agricultural technology field is likely to establish a multi-layered data collection system to complement the limitations of satellite data. Platforms that integrate data from drones, ground sensors, and field personnel with satellite information are expected to become the core of competitiveness.

Investors and agricultural companies need to focus on solutions with field verification capabilities, rather than simply relying on satellite technology. Regulators are also likely to include 'ground truth' elements when establishing supply chain transparency standards.

Ultimately, the complete digitalization of the agricultural supply chain depends on technological convergence that connects 'sky and earth'. Satellites are powerful tools, but the industry is beginning to recognize that they alone cannot fully capture the complex reality of agriculture.