INDEPENDENT NEWS

New Satellite Spies On Farms

Published: Tue 4 Jan 2000 08:33 AM
A new surveillance satellite will be available from July to anyone in the world who wants to monitor land use, farm production and the source of pollution. John Howard reports.
Canberra-based compant Agrecon, is behind a joint-venture move with Canberra University to monitor every square metre of farming land in the world.
The new satellite will cause an agriculture revolution which will change the face of global food production. Land owners will be told via the Internet how productive their property has been over two decades. Problem areas will be isolated to as little as 10sqm for examination, with data on soil condition provided. Farmers will be updated on everything from crop yields to temperature and rainfall.
The satellite will also be able to settle neighbour's disputes over spray drift and the use and effects of chemicals. Polluters of land can also be identified and enforcement action taken.
Global trading competitors can be monitored to verify "clean green" claims.
The company says identifying crop and environmental performances of other countries will provide a leading edge in the international marketplaces.

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