Mapping wheat for a resilient future: harnessing satellite imagery for sustainable land management in Syrdarya, Uzbekistan

This initiative explores the innovative use of multispectral satellite imagery to analyze wheat crop areas in the Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan—an approach aimed at transforming traditional agricultural practices through modern geospatial intelligence. In the face of increasing climate uncertainty, soil degradation, and water stress, sustainable land management is no longer optional—it is essential for ensuring national food security and environmental health.

The core objective of this project is to promote sustainable land management (SLM) by demonstrating how remote sensing, artificial intelligence (AI), and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies can help monitor, assess, and improve wheat production. The initiative emphasizes the critical need for evidence-based decision-making among farmers, policymakers, and agricultural institutions to enhance productivity and safeguard resources.

Key beneficiaries of this project include the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tax Committee (for agricultural land use monitoring), farmers seeking efficiency in land and input usage, and policymakers working toward environmental sustainability and rural development. The project aligns with Uzbekistan’s national strategy for digital agriculture and contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to zero hunger, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life on land.

Main activities include a comprehensive literature review on wheat monitoring using advanced technologies, assessment of best practices from global and regional case studies, and the development of policy recommendations for scaling up effective land management. Through the analysis of multispectral satellite images, researchers were able to delineate accurate digital maps of wheat cultivation zones, assess crop health, and monitor seasonal changes. These insights can be used not only for real-time decision-making but also as historical data for trend analysis and future planning.

The impact of the initiative is far-reaching. By leveraging satellite-based remote sensing, agricultural authorities and land users in Syrdarya gain a powerful tool to optimize input use, reduce environmental degradation, and increase yields. The technology enables high-resolution monitoring of crop distribution and density, supporting smarter land allocation and contributing to long-term food system resilience.

Ultimately, the integration of multispectral imaging and GIS technologies into Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector serves as a model for digital transformation in farming. It offers a scalable and replicable solution that merges environmental sustainability with economic efficiency—key pillars for future-ready agriculture.