Two new pilot projects funded by the UK Space Agency are exploring how satellite data and digital technologies can help farmers make better decisions, improve productivity, and care for the environment
Launched under the Unlocking Space for Business programme, the initiatives aim to accelerate the real-world adoption of space-enabled solutions in UK agriculture.
Running for the remainder of the 2025/26 financial year, the four-month pilots build on earlier Unlocking Space for Agriculture activities delivered in Scotland and the East of England by Space Scotland and Space East.
Turning space data into practical farm decisions
The Unlocking Space for Business programme focuses on bridging the gap between advanced satellite capabilities and practical commercial applications. In agriculture, this means translating Earth observation data into insights that support decisions on crop selection, land management, and environmental performance.
A key objective of the pilots is to test whether involving end users early in the design process can speed up the development of solutions that are not only technically sound but also easy to use and close to market. By engaging farmers from the outset, the programme aims to ensure that innovation is shaped by real needs rather than theoretical use cases.
GeoCrop: Supporting smarter cropping choices
The first pilot, GeoCrop, focuses on one of the most difficult decisions farmers face each year: when and what to plant. Early planting can secure better prices and reduce dependence on imports, but it also increases exposure to unpredictable weather and soil conditions.
The GeoCrop project brings together EOLAS Insight, Satarla, Tap-That, Home Farm Nacton, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, and Agri-TechE, the UK’s Farm Innovation Network. Together, the consortium is developing an initial version of a data service that combines satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and supply chain intelligence.
By integrating information on factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and market timing, the tool aims to give farmers clearer insight into the risks and opportunities associated with different cropping strategies. Close collaboration with farming groups will help ensure the service reflects everyday decision-making processes and remains practical for use on working farms.
SEDERS: Measuring environmental performance from space
The second pilot, Space Enabled Decarbonisation, Environmental and Regenerative Solutions (SEDERS), focuses on environmental outcomes and land health. The project is led by a consortium including Oversite Earth, Barlow Farming Company, Gledpark Farm, and Inforgen.
SEDERS aims to demonstrate how satellite data can be combined with low-cost field-deployed sensors. These sensors help validate satellite measurements and provide farmers with a more complete and reliable picture of their land over time.
The approach allows farmers to track elements of their natural or “nature capital,” including biodiversity, soil carbon, water movement, habitats, and overall land condition. By offering an affordable and repeatable method for measuring progress, the project supports farmers seeking to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and adopt more regenerative practices while maintaining productivity and profitability.
Together, the two pilots highlight the growing role of satellite-enabled tools in shaping the future of UK agriculture. By combining space data with on-the-ground knowledge and digital innovation, the projects demonstrate how technology can support both economic resilience and environmental stewardship.
Through the Unlocking Space for Business programme, the UK Space Agency is helping ensure that space-powered solutions are developed with, not just for, farming communities. Empowering farmers to lead innovation is expected to yield better tools, faster adoption, and a more sustainable, resilient agricultural sector in Scotland and beyond.
