Satellite imagery, or Earth observation imagery, consists of images captured by satellites to monitor the Earth’s surface. Initially developed for military and scientific purposes, it has evolved significantly since the first orbital photographs by Explorer 6 in 1959. Key advancements, such as the launch of the Landsat programme in 1972, introduced digital and multispectral imaging technologies, enabling detailed data collection across various wavelengths.
Modern satellites now provide high-resolution imagery with frequent revisit times, allowing near real-time monitoring of vast areas and supporting applications like agriculture, environmental management, and disaster response.
How Is Satellite Technology Revolutionising the Agricultural Sector
In agriculture, satellite imagery serves as a cornerstone for precision farming and sustainability. It provides actionable insights into crop health, soil conditions, water management, and pest control. By analysing vegetation indices like Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (“NDVI”), farmers can assess plant vitality and optimise resource use. Additionally, satellite data aids in yield prediction, drought monitoring, and climate adaptation strategies. These applications not only enhance productivity but also minimise environmental impact by reducing excessive use of fertilisers, pesticides, and water.
Satellite technology has become indispensable in addressing global agricultural challenges such as food security and climate change. By offering detailed spatial and temporal data, it empowers farmers to make informed decisions that balance economic efficiency with environmental stewardship. As agriculture continues to adapt to evolving demands and constraints, satellite imagery remains a vital tool for sustainable development.
Case Study: How Satellite Imagery Supports Malaysia’s Palm Oil Industry in Achieving EUDR Compliance and Sustainability
Background
Company S*, a palm oil producer based in Sabah, Malaysia, has been a longstanding exporter of quality palm oil products to markets worldwide. The EUDR requires companies to provide evidence that commodities, including palm oil, are deforestation-free, meaning they must not originate from land converted from forest to agricultural use after 31 December 2020. With the EUDR becoming applicable to most companies on 30 December 2025, Malaysian palm oil producers must demonstrate that their production processes are deforestation-free to maintain access to the EU market.
* BBC is obliged not to disclose the company name and geolocation in case study due to confidential policy.
Challenges
Company S faced challenges in meeting the EUDR requirement due to the limitations of their current solution, drone mapping, which cannot access historical data to verify land use before the specified date.
Solutions and Implementation
To address its challenges, Company S adopted AI-powered satellite technology designed to enhance accuracy, productivity, and sustainability. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, the technology provides additional benefits as follows:
- Proving deforestation-free production
By disclosing precise geolocation, Company S conducted two field mappings – one before and one after 31 December 2020 – for the same plot of land. The satellite imagery clearly showed that the palm oil plantation was established before 31 December 2020, confirming that palm oil products from this plot of land are eligible for entry into the EU market under the EUDR requirements - Evaluating plantation productivity
Company S utilised Automised Palm Detection technology powered by AI to evaluate plantation productivity and economic viability. This approach significantly reduced labour requirements while enhancing operational efficiency. Productivity improvements were achieved through Plant-to-Plant Distance measurements, which provided foundational data before considering other factors such as palm age, genetic quality of planting material, soil fertility, and management practices. Assessing risks
Crop health assessment is critical for identifying risks that could harm yield performance. By pairing satellite imagery and AI-powered monitoring systems, Company S detected issues like pest and disease attack, insufficient irrigation, and improper fertilisers application. Alerts generated prompt timely crop inspections to address potential problems.
Impacts
Company S’s initiatives have achieved remarkable outcomes, including:
- Ensuring compliance with the EUDR
By integrating satellite monitoring into traceability studies, Company S successfully demonstrated that its palm oil products are deforestation-free. This compliance allows exports to the EU to continue as usual, with the added potential to attract new customers due to improved sustainability credentials.
- Enabling proactive actions to improve yield performance
The use of advanced technologies, such as accurate tree counting and early detections of crop health issues, has allowed Company S to optimise plantation management practices and improve productivity.
- Promoting sustainable plantation management practices
Company S’s adoption of innovative and sustainable solutions has created opportunities for the Malaysian palm oil industry to balance profitability with environmental stewardship. This approach demonstrates that economic growth and sustainability can coexist, offering a business model for other producers in the region.
Conclusion
Company S offers valuable lessons for businesses integrating sustainable practices. By leveraging advanced technologies such as satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, the company enhances transparency, accuracy, and productivity. Company S exemplifies how businesses can transform challenges into opportunities, achieving sustainability in operations while protecting the environment. This case study provides a replicable model for fostering economic growth alongside environmental stewardship in the palm oil industry.
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