TRUST – citrus fruiT monitored using Copernicus
As an associated partner project funded by CoRdiNet, the Cyprus Remote Sensing Society is cooperating with the Agricultural Research Institute to showcase the benefit of using Copernicus satellite data to monitor citrus crops.
Our Associated Partner Cyprus Remote Sensing Society has provided an update to the progress of their partner project on awareness raising regarding the use of Copernicus satellite data for monitoring citrus crops. More information on their progress is found here.
Contact for project:
Dr. Themistocleous Kyriakos (rscy@giscyprus.com)
Related to WP call:
WP4 – Business links and pilot projects
Kind of activity:
Pilot study
Short description
The pilot study will be a collaboration between the Cyprus Remote Sensing Society (CRSS) and Research Institute (ARI). The study area will be a selected citrus grove that will be monitored using Copernicus satellite data to study crop health during the growth period. In the pilot study, once the citrus fruit is harvested, the data will be disseminated to the public by including a label on the product showing the monitoring procedure using Copernicus data, i.e., 'Oranges grown in Mandria, monitored by Copernicus'.
Main outputs:
Generation of LAI maps in order to monitor orange orchards health in the area of interest, using satellite images from Copernicus archive.
What motivated you to participate as an associated partner to CoRdiNet?
It is our pleasure to participate in the specific call. Since we already monitor the growing procedure of orange trees in the specific area, we would like to emphasize how important is to the rest of the orange growers. CoRdiNeT has provided us the opportunity to disseminate to orange growers an idea which in our opinion is user friendly and lessen the costs of agricultural procedure. By applying such procedures policy makers can support group of farmers with low cost and at the same time monitor for environmental protection.
How does your proposed action/project complement the purpose of CoRdiNet? What is your contribution to the Copernicus ecosystem?
Our project in aligned with CoRdiNet purpose since our purpose is to illustrate how Copernicus satellite imagery can be utilized for the benefit of the people of the union on one hand and for the benefit of the natural environment on the other since orange growers can avoid unnecessary e.g. water losses during irrigation. Our purpose is to inform a specific orange orchard producer about accurate procedures during growing period to have a more economic approach by saving water in irrigation, chemicals in plant protection and fertilizers. Of course, by using the accurate quantities of these elements we move towards a sustainable agriculture procedure which support the protection of the environment.