Satellites are making our food more secure and sustainable, says Leicester expert
Satellites are playing an important role in putting food on our tables and are set to become even more vital, according to a University of Leicester earth observation expert.
The comments by Professor Heiko Balzter, Director of the University of Leicester Institute for Environmental Futures, coincide with the Food and Land Use Summit earlier this week, organised by KNOWNET, a partnership between the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council.
At the event, experts from the University of Leicester explained how the space sector is playing an increasingly vital role in monitoring land use, tracking deforestation, and assessing agricultural sustainability through satellite data and Earth observation technologies. Space technology, such as earth observation satellites, enables better monitoring of severe weather conditions, enhances weather forecasting accuracy, and provides early detection of crop impacts, allowing for timely adaptations to climate challenges.
In a Q&A interview to tie-in to the Summit, Professor Balzter explains: “Satellite data provides invaluable insights into crop health, yield forecasting, pest detection, and disease management, as well as irrigation optimization. With the help of multispectral and hyperspectral satellite imagery, farmers can pinpoint specific areas of their fields that require fertilization, significantly reducing the amount of fertilizer needed overall. Remote sensing also enables large-scale monitoring of land use changes and identifies vulnerabilities in supply chains due to regional climate effects and extreme weather events.
“Integrating space technology can drive resource efficiency and cost reduction while enhancing environmental sustainability in the food value chain. For example, precision agriculture reduces resource consumption, while satellite crop monitoring can mitigate risks arising from climate change impacts for traders and food importers.”
By integrating insights from business, space, and environmental science, this symposium explored how Leicester and Leicestershire can develop innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance food security, support sustainable farming, and restore natural ecosystems.
Professor Balzter adds: “The urgency of addressing climate change has never been more pressing. As the world struggles to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, it is essential that we decarbonise our food production and distribution systems. Satellites’ ability to monitor the Earth’s surface in near-real time allows us to detect land use changes and climate impacts, which enhances the resilience of our food systems and supply chains.
“I envision a future where the food value chain is transparent, resource-efficient, and resilient to disruptions, whether from climate change, trade barriers, or conflicts. Space technology will be integral to this transformation, ensuring that food is produced sustainably and equitably distributed.”