Farming is an increasingly challenging endeavour, with farmers not only having to respond to the needs of a growing population, but also to provide sustainable livelihoods for themselves and protect the environment. To address these challenges, the DROMAS Agricultural Crop Monitoring and Farming Management Service platform was developed by Czech company Gisat, under ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) Programme. After successful implementation in the Czech Republic, the service is now poised to expand across Europe.

Agriculture today is about more than simply growing food; it’s about doing so efficiently and sustainably in the face of limited resources. The growing threats of climate change, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss have made farming more complex. As weather becomes more volatile and extreme events disrupt traditional growing seasons, crop productivity and economic profitability are increasingly challenged. New approaches and technologies can support farmers and the agricultural industry to adapt to these changing economic, ecological and social factors.

DROMAS leverages satellite technology to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of farming practices. DROMAS uses data and imagery from a range of satellites including ESA’s Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 to provide frequent and consistent detailed full crop monitoring country-wide. In addition, satellite navigation technologies enable targeted in-situ data collection. 

The two state-of-the-art primary DROMAS services, Agricultural Crop Monitoring and Farming Management, provide farmers, agricultural advisors and national paying agencies with precise and actionable data to optimise farming practices and agricultural subsidy checks.

The DROMAS Agricultural Crop Monitoring service supports the operation of “Checks by Monitoring” implemented as part of the Area Monitoring System (AMS) within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Ultimately the system supports subsidy controls and ensures compliance with environmentally sustainable farming practices. The service was implemented and demonstrated in close collaboration with the Czech State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SAIF) which manages and oversees national and EU subsidies.

The integration of space technology in agriculture reduces the need for labour-intensive field inspections, as satellite data allows authorities to identify issues such as non-compliance with CAP requirements remotely. This proactive approach not only lowers operational costs but also ensures the accuracy of parcels registered in the Land Parcel Information System, enhancing the overall efficiency of subsidy management and farming practices.

The DROMAS Farming Management service supports precision farming, a modern agricultural approach that optimises the use of resources such as water, fertilisers, and pesticides. By monitoring crop variability and providing data on crop vegetation status and plant health, DROMAS allows farmers to apply resources more accurately, reducing waste and increasing crop yields. This integration is further bolstered by a collaboration with CleverFarm, which contributes Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring services and farming consultations to improve crop management.

With its success in the Czech Republic, DROMAS is ready to be implemented across Europe and has already attracted interest from farmers and agricultural agencies in Slovakia. 

“DROMAS can monitor vast areas of agricultural land quickly and accurately, saving time and reducing costs. We’re excited to see the positive impact it can have on the agricultural sector.” explains Davide Coppola, Head of Space Application Initiatives Section at ESA. “With innovations like DROMAS, the coupling of space technology and agriculture represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical challenges faced by farmers today; ensuring that farming remains profitable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible for generations to come.”

As DROMAS prepares for broader implementation, it is clear that satellite technology is set to play a central role in the future of agriculture. By providing accessible and affordable monitoring services, DROMAS ensures that farmers can adapt to economic, ecological, and social challenges, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

 

The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme this week launched its Bioeconomy Task Force as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of a sustainable green economy. The initiative brings together leading players from across multiple sectors with a shared vision to address the sustainable and circular practices in the bioeconomy across Europe and beyond. Representatives from the new Task Force joined ESA at Rabobank in Utrecht to mark the official start of this important collaboration. 

The bioeconomy is a dynamic and progressive field that brings together technological advancements, policy frameworks, and innovative practices to promote a sustainable future trajectory for our economy and is defined as the sustainable production, utilisation, and conservation of biological resources.

The new Task Force includes a wide range of public, private and not-for-profit organisations, with European and global remits. By working together, ESA's Bioeconomy Task Force will drive forward innovation and support for European businesses across the bioeconomy, from agriculture and forestry to waste and water resource management, textiles and pharmaceuticals, and the list continues to grow. Although this week marked the official launch of the Task Force, many initiatives are already underway with Space for Sustainable Pharma (esa.int) and Nature-based Solutions (esa.int) funding opportunities now open, Space for Sustainable Forestry (esa.int) opening in November and Space for Sustainable Textiles due in the next quarter.

Beatrice Barresi, Senior Sustainable Applications Officer at ESA, who is leading the initiative, said "We are delighted to be joined here today by so many members of our new Task Force, who share our commitment to protecting our natural environment.

We look forward to a long and important collaboration, developing and using innovative space technologies to drive forward sustainable change across multiple sectors. Thank you to Rabobank, one of our members, for hosting us today here in Utrecht."

The Bioeconomy Task Force follows on from ESA’s Maritime Sustainability Task Force which launched earlier this year, and the Energy Task Force and Smart Cities Task Forces which were initiated in 2023. These Task Forces are part of the wider ESA strategy to promote the use of space technologies to accelerate the green transition.

Task Force Members

CEPF-Confederation of European Forest Owners

COPA-COGECA

EUSTAFOR - European State Forest Association

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council

GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard

IACGB – International Advisory Committee on Global Bioeconomy

ICT AGRIFOOD

PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

RABOBANK

World Economic Forum

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