30.04.2025
The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) leads the new European research project EOAgriTwin: Earth Observation based Digital Twin for Resilient Agriculture under Multiple Stressors. The project aims to develop a digital twin for agriculture that functions under multiple stressors and provides actionable insights and data-driven decision support to promote sustainable food production and strengthen global food security. EOAgriTwin is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and brings together leading research institutions and companies from across Europe and beyond.
Digital Twins: A New Approach to Agriculture
A digital twin is a highly accurate virtual replica of a real-world system—in this case, an agricultural landscape. It integrates satellite observations, weather data, and site-specific information such as soil characteristics and farming practices. By combining artificial intelligence (AI) and process-based models, the digital twin is continuously updated with new data and delivers forecasts for crop yields, water availability and use, as well as “what-if” scenarios for specific management practices and events.
Enhancing Sustainability through Detailed Simulations
EOAgriTwin uses multiple streams of earth observation data to assess the impacts of various stressors, such as drought, heat stress, pests, and pathogens. It also considers different management scenarios, such as irrigation and intercropping. These data feed into process-based models that help farmers and policymakers understand different scenarios and adapt to changing conditions.
Future Perspectives for Digital Agriculture
The digital twin developed in EOAgriTwin could play a key role in sustainable agriculture in the future. It could benefit individual farms and support agricultural decision-making at regional and national levels.
Further Information
https://www.eoagritwin.eu/
Funding
The project is funded by the European Space Agency under the ESA-DTE-B-01-LEAD DTCS DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS program, contract number 4000146541/24/I-KE.
Project Partners
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) – Coordinator
- Humboldt University of Berlin (HU) / Earth Observation Lab (EOL)
- Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
