The WorldCereal project, currently on its second phase, has developed an efficient, agile and robust EO based system for timely global crop monitoring at field scale and it is now creating a cloud-based, upgraded system that is much more efficient and user friendly, enhancing its reach to wider audiences.
© WorldCereal project
The OpenSource WorldCereal system created a local to global annual cropland extent maps at 10 m resolution during its first phase, with the possibility of these being updated a seasonal basis differentiating between actively irrigated and rainfed fields, but also including global maps of maize and wheat.
WorldCereal is a global R&D challenge aiming to engage the global agricultural community to achieve optimal results. The system is built upon existing initiatives on e.g in situ data collection and sharing, algorithm development, IT infrastructures and best practices.
WorldCereal relies heavily on the operational time series of the Copernicus Sentinels missions, which allow an unprecedented dynamic crop monitoring at global scale.
The second phase of the project focuses on boosting the user uptake of the system by:
- Offering a cloud-based processing system allowing anyone to train and apply cropland/crop type detection models using open EO datasets
- Demonstrating the accuracy and use of the WorldCereal classification products in the context of global to regional monitoring of food security
- Actively encouraging and training the agricultural monitoring community in the use of the WorldCereal system
IIASA actively provides reference data, maintains and builds the Reference Data Module (RDM), where harmonized in situ data is stored and can be accessed by the WorldCereal system. Furthermore, IIASA will continue using the Geo-Wiki tools to do an internal validation of the products (maps) from the project, as was done during the first phase of the project.
Current Project Partners Phase II (2023-2026): VITO Remote Sensing, GISAT, University of Strasbourg, University of Valencia, Wageningen University and Research
Project Partners Phase I (2021-2023): VITO Remote Sensing, GISAT, University of Strasbourg, University of Valencia, Wageningen University and Research, ELEAF, CS
The WorldCereal project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).
News
15 January 2024
Satellite data for high resolution, seasonal, global-scale crop monitoring
The WorldCereal consortium recently embarked on a scientific journey to demonstrate the feasibility of global crop mapping at field scale to improve agricultural and water policies worldwide. Having made considerable achievements so far, the project is now entering a new phase.