Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore calculated how much cultivated area was inundated in the costal districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore by the recent rains using images obtained from European Space Agency’s Sentinel 1A satellite.
The University uses the images to identify crops, estimate area of cultivation, prepare seasonability map (track the start, end and progress of agriculture seasons), phenology map (various stages of crop) and yield map (estimate the yield).
As for farmers, the process of availing of crop insurance will be easy as the satellite images will serve as proof of crop damage. The farmers will also get to learn about soil conditions and nutrients needed.
The four years of work with a tie-up under the ‘Remote Sensing Information for Insurance on Crops in Emerging Economies’ project with the Swedish Developmental Council, International Rice Research Institute and Sarmap of Switzerland had enabled TNAU to come up with a quick assessment which will help the State Government frame policies.
This will ensure that the government take decision without delay.
Source: The Hindu