Thanks to the support of the American people through USAID under the AGRO Program, Ukrainian farmers were introduced to modern field monitoring tools and precision farming technologies. One of the final stages of the project focused on evaluating the solutions implemented and planning for the next season.
Systematic Crop Monitoring — The Foundation of Stable Yields
At this stage, farms learned how to effectively collect and analyze data on crop conditions. The following tools were used:
- Satellite monitoring (Sentinel, Landsat) — enabled large areas to be monitored and NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and other vegetation indices to be analyzed.
- On-machine sensors (CropSpec, GreenSeeker) — provided real-time data during field operations.
- IoT sensors and weather stations — transmitted data every 30 minutes on soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity.
- Manual diagnostics — included leaf and biomass sampling, as well as laboratory analysis of nitrogen, chlorophyll, and moisture levels.
How Did It Work in Practice?
Satellite imagery was used to identify crop stress zones, followed by field scouting and sample collection for detailed diagnostics. All of this data could be integrated into various systems, including Xarvio, Cropwise, Climate FieldView, and Geosys App.
Farmers created prescription maps, monitored fertilizer and crop protection product applications, and recorded photo reports at monitoring points. This helped optimize resources and avoid losses.
Why Is This Important?
The effectiveness of precision farming was evaluated across four parameters:
- Agronomic — yield stability and changes in soil indicators;
- Economic — return on investment and savings on fertilizers and crop protection products;
- Technological — application accuracy, machinery performance, and software functionality;
- Environmental — reduced environmental impact, erosion, and pollution.
💰 Avoiding losses, for example across 200 hectares, can help a farmer save up to $83,750 per season.
📌 Conclusion:
The integration of digital monitoring, satellite imagery, sensors, and agronomic analysis is not about “high technology” for its own sake. It is about protecting yields, reducing costs, and making smarter planning decisions.
And all of this became possible thanks to the partnership with USAID and American support for the technological development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.