Remote sensing can help assess the agricultural production in areas where direct observation is made difficult by conflicts or natural disasters.

For example, these maps (250 m ground resolution) of Aleppo, Syria, show the difference in the biomass production (natural vegetation and crop yield) in a key cereal producing area of northern Syria in 2010 and in 2016. Comparison between the 2010 and 2016 maps illustrates a decrease in agricultural production in some areas. This may be due to climatic factors such as drought, as well as social factors including internal displacement.

By calculating the total production by country, or by any administrative area, estimates can be made on the food shortage that people are going to face at the end of the growing season.

The green areas of the map are areas where agricultural productivity or in general biomass production per hectare is high. Utilizing biomass production data in conjunction with other WaPOR data, farmers and government agencies can make informed decisions regarding agriculture during the course of the growing season. In the 2016 map, many areas previously highly productive are now shown to be lighter in colour. Preparing farmers for drought and disasters, and targeting intervention to increase both the productivity and the sustainability of agriculture are paramount to achieving food security.