Diagnostic tool that integrates optical, infrared and SAR data - DINOSAR

Projektinformationen

DINOSAR

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101129646

DOI

10.3030/101129646

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 1 Dezember 2023

Startdatum 1 Januar 2024

Enddatum 31 Dezember 2026

Finanziert unter

• Digital, Industry and Space

Gesamtkosten

€ 1 498 481,25

EU-Beitrag

€ 1 498 481,25

Koordiniert durch

ELEAF BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DINOSAR (Diagnostic tool that integrates optical, infrared and SAR data - DINOSAR)

Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Climate change and environmental degradation pose a global threat. With a rising global population and 40% of the Earth’s land already degraded, sustainable food production is a growing challenge. The European Green Deal aims to tackle this through a carbon-neutral, circular economy with sustainable agricultural systems. However, global impact requires global action—particularly in tropical regions, where agricultural productivity is low and excessive use of inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, water) strains ecosystems.

Smart farming using Earth Observation (EO) data can reduce resource use by ~20%, but adoption remains limited in cloud-prone areas due to overreliance on optical sensors. Tools that integrate SAR (e.g. Sentinel-1), optical (Sentinel-2), and infrared signals are needed to unlock Copernicus’ full potential. DINOSAR addresses this need.

DINOSAR’s main objective is to develop a physically based, operational diagnostic tool that combines multi-sensor Copernicus data to monitor crop phenology and health under all weather conditions. This will support sustainable agriculture, optimize input use, and improve environmental outcomes.

The project’s initial focus is sugarcane, the world’s largest food commodity by volume, cultivated in over 20 million ha, mostly in cloudy tropical areas. Despite environmental concerns, sugarcane is vital for global markets (sugar, ethanol, bioenergy). The industry is open to innovation. Recent ISSCT congress sessions emphasized fertilizer optimization. Preliminary DINOSAR work in Colombia reduced nitrogen use from 165 to 139 kg/ha, proving the potential for sustainable gains.

Continuous crop monitoring enabled by integrating SAR, optical, and infrared data is essential for mainstreaming sustainable practices.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

WP1 – User Requirements and Use Case Development
Completed. Two stakeholder rounds were held (latest: April–May 2025). Six of twelve identified user needs were prioritized. New stakeholder outreach is planned at ISCCT in August 2025 (Cali). Use case transfer to crops like maize, sunflower, sugar beet, potato, and wheat in Ukraine is scheduled.

WP2 – In-Situ Data Gathering
Field campaign started July 2024 and will run for 14 months. Data collected includes plant height, stem/leaf biomass, and stem density. QA/QC protocols are active, and Fulcrum is used for digital data capture. Weekly validation and updates occur via FieldLook.

WP3 – Copernicus-Based Algorithm Development
Two baseline models (SAR and optical) have been built. A dynamic system model integrating both was developed and refined using field data. This integrated model supports real-time monitoring of crop dynamics.

WP4 – Operationalisation of Prototype Algorithm
A test run was completed at the eLEAF processing facility using in-house and U. Alicante’s integrated model data.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

DINOSAR integrates Sentinel-1 (SAR) and Sentinel-2 (optical) with in-situ data to monitor crop growth throughout the season—even in cloudy regions, previously underserved by EO tools.

Immediate benefits include:

Farmers: Data-driven irrigation, fertilization, and ripener application based on real crop needs.

Mill Managers: Better crop forecasting and logistics planning for improved cash flow.

For uptake, user-friendly applications are needed to translate DINOSAR outputs into actionable insights. The consortium is uniquely positioned for this, having:

An operational data factory (eLEAF) with optical and meteorological data pipelines.

SAR expertise (SarVision, U. Alicante, eLEAF).

Existing EO applications and sales networks in Colombia and beyond (AgroAp).

DINOSAR algorithms will be embedded in the existing pipeline, accelerating delivery of end-user tools and real-world impact.

Logo of project