HARVIC Essential delivers an innovative satellite crop monitoring service that is transforming the production of one of the world’s key food crops, potatoes, by providing objective and practical real-time data on growing conditions and stress factors. Offered by GEO4A, in partnership with Hermess B.V. and GeoVille GmbH and with the support of ESA’s Business Application and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, the insightful HARVIC services have already been adopted by key industry players in the Netherlands. It is now being rolled out to the EU’s other top potato production Member States Germany, Belgium and France.
The potato industry is a cornerstone of global agriculture and food security, ranking as the fourth most important food crop worldwide. Europe stands out as a regional leader in global potato production, with the market value of potatoes produced in the EU standing at 3.6 billion euros.
The industry is facing significant challenges, ranging from limited arable land and declining soil quality to increasing environmental regulations, more extreme climate events, and economic uncertainties. Responding to these challenges calls for a shift from a traditional farming approach, which relies on human experience and subjective decision-making, toward data-driven agriculture, where timely, accurate and actionable insights drive competitive and sustainable crop development, quality and yield.
HARVIC Essential directly addresses the needs of seed potato companies and processors, from improving supply chain management to optimising field operations. It offers a seamless combination of optical and radar satellite imagery, advanced and localised weather data, and ground sensors. Together with customer data and advanced analytical tools, the service provides practical and relevant insights that bring direct savings and commercial benefits.
"With HARVIC Essential, we’re empowering the potato industry to embrace precision and resilience in the face of change. With real-time, reliable data in the hands of those who need it most, we’re changing the game—from how potatoes are grown and managed, to how their value is maximised throughout Europe," Christian Hoffmann, Founder and Managing Director of GEO4A.
“HARVIC Essential is a great example of how advanced satellite technology can be combined with other data and analytics to respond to challenges we have here on Earth,” said Francesco Feliciani, Head of the Company-led Projects Section at ESA.
The service has already achieved market validation from some of the largest and most influential names in the potato industry, such as Agrico and Farm Frites. These businesses played an integral role in shaping the service during the pilot phase and have now transitioned to become commercial clients, helping to form a solid foundation for further expansion.
Companies involved in the pilot have reported high satisfaction with the service. Benefits include:
Optimising field selection for early export, thereby reducing costs and improving quality
Accurate yield forecasting
Better stock management and contract negotiations
Streamlining resource planning
Looking further ahead, HARVIC Essential is expanding for wider adoption across Europe. GEO4A and its partners are actively exploring strategic partnerships and integrations to enhance further value for seed companies, processors, and food retailers in major potato cultivation areas.
In parallel, GEO4A will intensify its role as an Earth Observation data provider for the potato industry. Using more advanced climate modelling and localised risk indicators will lead to a downstream service that aims to support sustainable farming practices that are resilient to extreme weather events, droughts, and shifting growing seasons.
HARVIC Essential delivers an innovative satellite crop monitoring service that is transforming the production of one of the world’s key food crops, potatoes, by providing objective and practical real-time data on growing conditions and stress factors. Offered by GEO4A, in partnership with Hermess B.V. and GeoVille GmbH and with the support of ESA’s Business Application and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, the insightful HARVIC services have already been adopted by key industry players in the Netherlands. It is now being rolled out to the EU’s other top potato production Member States Germany, Belgium and France.
We are stepping into a future of smarter, greener, and more connected logistics and the European Space Agency’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme is playing an important role in that transformation. Last week, key stakeholders from the logistics sector gathered at the Italian Space Agency (ASI) headquarters in Rome, in a joint initiative led by ESA, ASI and the Italian Coast Guard. The workshop delved into the logistics sector’s needs, challenges and trends, including efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Speakers and participants investigated the potential roles of current and emerging space data in transforming this vital sector.
Giancarlo N. Varacalli (ASI) welcoming attendees to the Space-Enabled Solutions for the Future of Logistics Workshop.
Commander Pierluigi Milella of the Italian Coast Guard's keynote speech underscored the critical role of timing and collaboration in the logistics sector, focusing on the need to look beyond traditional approaches, including towards space, to discover new opportunities together. Commander Milella also highlighted the strategic significance of hosting the event in Italy, a country defined by its vast railway network and its geographic significance for the maritime sector.
His message was echoed by Nick Appleyard, Head of Business Applications and Solutions at ESA, who noted, “We have a great partnership with the Italian Coast Guard, with port authorities, the maritime industry, and many individual companies who are building services as part of this immensely complicated interoperating system which is keeping global trade moving.”
Rita Rinaldo, Head of Projects and Studies Implementation Division for ESA and Mauro Cardone, Head of Navigation Sector at ASI introduced ESA and ASI programmes, with a focus on how BASS can support the development of space-enabled services in this sector. These include innovative and commercially sustainable services that use satellite navigation, Earth observation, and satellite communications to improve supply chain visibility, optimise transport routes, and support greener and more efficient operations.
Rita Rinaldo, Head of Projects and Studies Implementation Division for ESA presenting the BASS programme to attendees.
Keynote speakers Marco Brancati, Senior Vice President of Leonardo Space, and Giuseppe Tomasicchio, Senior Manager at Telespazio, outlined how satellite technologies are driving innovation in logistics across Europe through enabling precise drone navigation, hybrid satellite and terrestrial networks. They also explained their involvement in monitoring underwater critical infrastructures such as pipelines, windfarms and subsea cables.
In the afternoon, two panel discussions brought together voices from across the logistics, maritime, and space sectors, highlighting the practical value of space-enabled innovation. The first set the tone for the day with insights into current challenges and opportunities in maritime and intermodal transport. The second explored how space technology is already helping companies improve operations, with speakers sharing concrete examples of how ESA support is enabling partnerships and accelerating innovation on the ground.
Pictured from left to right: Enrico Spinelli (ESA), Matteo Prantner (Italian Coast Guard), Edoardo D’Andrea (CONFITARMA), Sergio Prete (Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea), and Paola Cossu (ALICE and FIT Consulting).
Frederick Ronse, CEO of Ovinto, noted how ESA’s BASS programme provided not only funding but also crucial credibility during his pitch at the industry panel section of the workshop. This support from BASS secured them a collaboration with SNCF Groupe and validation through ESA. The session demonstrated how BASS is helping businesses turn ideas into real-world solutions by offering funding and technical support to European industry. During this session, Paul Rizos, Senior Business Analyst at UK based company Darwin Innovation Group, shared how their successful collaboration with BASS has enabled them to deploy their connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) service, which can help reduce road emissions within ports and harbours.
Pictured from left to right: Adriana G. Castriotta (ASI), Paolo Pagano (CNIT Laboratory at the Port of Livorno), Frederick Ronse (Ovinto), Paul Rizos (Darwin Innovation Group), Mirko Antonini (SpaceExe), Andrea Condotta (ALICE and Gruber Logistics), and Enrico Spinelli (ESA).
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Nick Appleyard, who offered a concise and uplifting summary. He emphasised the importance of collective action in building a better future, reminding participants that at the heart of every innovation are people, and that our shared responsibility to the planet must guide our efforts.
“What is really needed,” he noted, “is for all of these different systems and all of these different parts of industry to work together... to interoperate, and for the people responsible to cooperate with each other.”
His words left a lasting impression, energising participants to face the sector’s challenges with clarity, purpose and a renewed sense of collaboration. The event fostered new partnerships and underscored the value of space-enabled innovation in improving logistics and agreement that the sector is well-positioned for meaningful progress, driving smarter, more sustainable transport systems.
Pictured from left to right: Enrico Spinelli (ESA), Matteo Prantner (Italian Coast Guard), Commander Pierluigi Milella (Italian Coast Guard), Rita Rinaldo (ESA), and Paolo Pagano (CNIT Laboratory at the Port of Livorno).
Organisations interested in developing space-enabled solutions can submit proposals through ESA BASS’s generic Open Call for Proposals, which continuously accepts projects aimed at developing commercial services that utilise space technology. In addition, the Space for Intermodal Transport call is currently open for proposals focused on the development of sustainable space-based services and applications for intermodal transport.
Key stakeholders from the logistics sector gathered at the Italian Space Agency (ASI) headquarters in Rome, in a joint initiative led by ESA, ASI and the Italian Coast Guard.
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in the Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative. This opportunity aims to support the development of innovative services that leverage space technology to enhance agricultural monitoring and management. The Call for Proposals welcomes submissions for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects. Please refer to the ‘Authorisation of Funding’ section below to determine your team's eligibility for funding.
