ICRISAT study highlights geospatial mapping’s potential to boost sustainability in South Asian agriculture

New Delhi: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has released a study that sheds light on the transformative role of geospatial mapping and satellite data in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability across South Asia. The research emphasizes how these cutting-edge tools can help address pressing food security challenges, particularly in the drylands of the region.

With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) deadline looming and only six harvest cycles remaining, the urgency to intensify agricultural production sustainably has never been greater. The study points to drylands as a critical area where geospatial mapping can unlock new opportunities to boost yields and secure livelihoods.

“Dryland cropping systems are complex, shaped by biophysical, social, and economic factors. The use of geospatial products and satellite data for mapping these systems can be invaluable. These tools provide critical insights for decision-making, unlocking opportunities for increased production, and enhancing farmers’ incomes in these challenging environments,” explained Dr. Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General of Research at ICRISAT.

The study spans an area of 477 million hectares across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and successfully identified and mapped 27 key cropping systems. These systems include rice-wheat, rice-rice, pulses-wheat, and millet-mustard, among others. This comprehensive approach sets the research apart from previous studies, which often focused on single crops or crop intensity.

Dr. ML Jat, Global Research Program Director for Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT, emphasized, “Predominantly, studies use spatial data to map single or major crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane or to monitor crop intensity, natural vegetation and more.  This study is a trailblazer in understanding the entire cropping system, i.e., crops grown in a sequence over the entire year.” 

The time-series data presented in the study offers new opportunities to enhance agricultural performance by combining geospatial insights with climate and soil data. This integrated approach can help optimize resources and increase productivity, according to the study’s lead author, Dr. Muralikrishna Gumma.

On a broader scale, these geospatial maps hold significant potential for guiding global efforts to mitigate climate change. At the national level, they offer governments detailed insights into regional cropping patterns, enabling better resource allocation. Policymakers can leverage this data to ensure the efficient distribution of water, fertilizers, and seeds, tailored to the specific needs of different cropping systems.

Additionally, the study highlights the role of geospatial mapping in disaster management. By identifying areas prone to agricultural stress—such as droughts or floods—these tools can inform more targeted responses, helping protect both crops and farmers’ livelihoods.

Funded by several prestigious organizations, including the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the study represents a significant step forward in understanding and improving agricultural practices in South Asia. Contributions also came from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre (MNCFC) under India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the WRI Land & Carbon Lab grant, and the Bezos Earth Fund.

The findings of the study, titled “Spatial Distribution of Cropping Systems in South Asia Using Time-Series Satellite Data Enriched with Ground Data,” offer a roadmap for future agricultural innovation, with the potential to revolutionize farming practices across the region.