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Crop area estimation using satellite data: A study in West Bengal

Dr. Nitai Kundu, Mausumi Pal & Subhash Chandra Ghosh
Institute of Wetland Management & Ecological Design, B-4, LA Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Calcutta-91.



Timely information is one of the basic requisites for planning and management. Hence management & planning for the public delivery system relating to foodgrains as well as marketing of agricultural products, requires timely information of cropped area and its yield. Considering this, Govt. of India has taken up a project entitled "CROP ACREAGE & PRODUCTION ESTIMATION " using satellite data for forecasting of acreage and yield of different crops before harvesting. Traditional approach for estimation of acreage & yield is time consuming & this is available only after harvesting.

In the state of West Bengal, the approach of forecasting of acreage & yield for kharif rice, mustard and potato using this technique has been introduced in the year 1993. Since then the aus, aman during kharif and mustard, potato during rabi have been estimated during different type of satellite data viz. Optical and microwave data. This study shows that this technique is useful not only for forecasting but monitoring the conditions of crops. This information may also be useful for adopting a sustainable agriculture policy in West Bengal.