Mapping Sowing Dates of Paddy in Different Agro-Climatic Regions of Punjab using SAR Satellite Data

Abstract

Rice is a major staple crop in the world, and therefore, accurate acreage assessment of crop area is essential. Traditional methods of crop acreage estimation often rely on ground surveys and manual data collection, which are labor intensive, time-consuming, and may lack spatial coverage. In recent years, the availability of satellite remote sensing data has revolutionized the monitoring of agricultural systems by providing frequent, spatially extensive, and cost-effective information. This study presents a remote sensing approach for assessing crop area and identifying sowing dates using satellite data. We used the Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to estimate the acreage of rice crop and sowing/transplanting of kharif rice during the years 2019 & 2020. Results showed that the rice area and sowing dates were validated using ground truth, and an overall accuracy of 87 to 92% was achieved for both years. Satellite based assessment of crop area and sowing date identification provides reliable information with high spatial and temporal resolution, enabling timely decision-making for farmers, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders. Furthermore, the scalability and cost-effectiveness of satellite remote sensing make it a valuable tool for large-scale agricultural monitoring and management. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of Sentinel-1 SAR satellite data for early-stage assessment of rice crop areas, offering a practical and efficient solution for monitoring agricultural dynamics at regional and global scales. Continued advancements in satellite technology and data processing techniques promise further improvements in the accuracy and applicability of remote sensing-based approaches for agricultural monitoring and management.