Competition aims to research satellite technology on farms

Students and young farmers in Europe and Africa have less than one month to go to register their details for a major competition about how using satellite technology in agriculture can improve production, efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.

Organisers say that so far 10 countries are represented and they want more! Total cash prizes of €13,000 are on offer in the ‘Farming by Satellite Prize’ for the best success stories or new ideas submitted by 14 April 2014.

The prize is an initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA), the EU agency responsible for European satellite navigation activities, and is sponsored by CLAAS, a leading manufacturer of agricultural engineering equipment, and crop protection experts Bayer CropScience.

The aim of the competition is to promote the use of satellite navigation in agriculture and its benefits to end users. Individuals or teams must be under the age of 32.

They can submit case studies of trials, or new ideas and innovations, particularly those relying upon European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the forthcoming GALILEO system and COPERNICUS (the European Earth Observation Programme).


Gian-Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development at the GSA says: “We are looking for imaginative solutions that employ ‘free’ satellite technology that can help all the world’s farmers. We anticipate entries from commercial teams as well as students of agriculture, horticulture and life sciences. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get great exposure for their ideas with leading companies and academics.”