The Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico (UAEMEX) announces the graduation of the first generation of students of the “Precision Agriculture” pilot program. This program trains students to use satellite technology to optimize agricultural productivity.
The program, conducted in the UAEMEX Faculty of Geography, trained participants in analyzing and processing satellite data from sources like NASA’s Landsat-8, GEOSAT-2, SPOT 6 and 7, D2/AtlaCom-1, and Sentinel-2. Students applied these skills to analyze crop data in rural areas. The data-driven approach is expected to improve crop yields, cut pesticide use, and optimize water resources, addressing both environmental and economic goals.
“This initiative aligns with government objectives to support agricultural sectors through innovative policies and mirrors international successes in satellite-based precision agriculture, as seen in countries like China, Israel, the United States, Russia, and India,” says Carlos Barrera, Rector, UAEMEX.
Studies by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) indicate that satellite-aided precision agriculture can boost productivity per hectare, bridge gaps between producers and distributors, and create new employment opportunities in rural areas. In other countries, this approach has improved pest control, reduced water use, and minimized the need for pesticides, offering a sustainable model for crop management.
Francisco Zepeda, Secretary of Extension and Liaison, UAEMEX, and Alejandra González, Director of the Faculty of Geography, UAEMEX, say that this collaboration could be replicated in other Mexican regions. “By advancing food security and sustainable agriculture, this program directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” they say.
