联合国粮农组织-利用空间技术促进农业发展和粮食安全（英）-2025_117页_26mb

Leveraging Space Technology for Agricultural Development and Food Security Summary

The increasing global population and challenges to food security underscore the importance of space technology in modern agriculture. Satellites, GNSS systems, and Earth observation technologies provide critical data for precision farming, crop monitoring, disaster management, and resource allocation. This report, jointly published by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasizes the transformative potential of space-based solutions and proposes strategies for their effective integration.

From Global Food Security to Space Technology for Monitoring and Management

The planet’s population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing pressure on agricultural systems. Challenges include climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict-driven disruptions. Space technology offers tools to address these issues, enabling real-time monitoring of crops, soil moisture, and weather patterns through satellites equipped with optical, hyperspectral, and radar sensors.

Precision agriculture, supported by GNSS data and satellite imagery, allows farmers to optimize planting, irrigation, and harvesting. Multistakeholder partnerships, such as those supporting the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative and NASA-Harvest Collaborations, demonstrate tangible benefits in improving food production and resilience.

Mapping the Space Value Chain for Agriculture: From Satellites to Farm-Level Applications

The space technology ecosystem is divided into three segments: upstream (satellite design and data acquisition), midstream (data processing and access), and downstream (application development). Earth observation satellites, such as Landsat and Sentinel programs, provide high-resolution imagery for monitoring agricultural activities globally. GNSS systems offer critical positioning data for precision farming equipment and tools like automated tractors.

Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and standards from organizations like OGC and ISO promote interoperability, making it easier to integrate satellite data with ground-based sensors and other information sources. Initiatives like the UN-IGIF and GKI framework enhance accessibility and usability, particularly in developing countries.

Addressing Global Food Security Through Space-Based Research and Development

Challenges remain in data accessibility, particularly for high-resolution imagery, and fragmentation in data platforms. The lack of open standards and inconsistent geodetic frameworks complicates integration across jurisdictions. Solutions include strengthening international collaboration, promoting open data policies, and investing in capacity-building initiatives to empower local communities and governments.

Future advancements— including quantum computing, AI-driven analytics, and satellite edge computing—promise to enhance decision-making by providing real-time insights and reducing manual interventions. These technologies can improve predictive capabilities for crop yields and reduce resource waste.

Shaping the Future of Farming Through Smart Satellites and Global Food Security Strategies

Recommendations include enhancing global coordination mechanisms like UN-Space to foster collaboration on space-based agricultural missions, standardizing data formats to improve interoperability, and implementing capacity-building programs to address disparities in technology adoption.

The conclusion highlights the crucial role of international cooperation in harnessing space technology for sustainable agriculture and food security. By addressing the identified gaps and advancing innovative solutions, the global community can mitigate food insecurity while promoting resilient agricultural practices.

Recommendations:

1. Strengthen international agreements on space debris mitigation and data sharing.
2. Scale up satellite-based agricultural monitoring programs in developing countries.
3. Increase investment in public-private partnerships to develop affordable agricultural applications.
4. Advance standardization efforts through international bodies like ISO and OGC.
5. Enhance training and capacity-building initiatives to disseminate geospatial knowledge globally.

This report emphasizes that space technology is a vital tool for achieving global food security and sustainable development goals, urging collaborative action to maximize its benefits.