The Impact of NASA on Agriculture: From Seeds to Satellites

NASA satellites, data, missions, and programs have been put to use for decades to strengthen food security, track droughts and flooding, determine plant and soil health and otherwise support agriculture decision making. With observations from space and aircraft, combined with high-end computer modeling, NASA works with partner agencies, organizations, farmers, ranchers, and decision makers to share our understanding of the relationship between the Earth system and the environments that provide us food. Working with local communities and decision makers to determine their needs and how they can best use Earth observation data, NASA supports those who address issues like water management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings.