The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has used satellite technology to estimate India’s wheat production for the 2024-25 Rabi season. 

• ISRO Monitored Wheat Crops using a system called Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress (CROP).

Key Findings 

• Output Forecast: The forecast predicts a total output of 122.724 million tonnes from eight major wheat-growing states.
• Wheat Sown Area: Satellite data shows 330.8 lakh hectares under wheat cultivation by March 31, 2025 .
• Major Wheat-Producing States: The eight states contributing to the estimated production are:
• • Uttar Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Rajasthan
  • Punjab
  • Haryana
  • Bihar
  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra

About Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress (CROP)

• It is a semi-automated, scalable framework developed by ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). 
• It enables near real-time monitoring of crop sowing, growth, and harvesting across India using satellite remote sensing data.  

Key Features of CROP

• Multi-Satellite Data Integration: Uses a combination of optical and radar satellites to ensure continuous monitoring, even during cloudy weather.  
  • EOS-04 (RISAT-1A): Provides Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for all-weather imaging.  
  • EOS-06 (Oceansat-3): Offers optical and ocean color data for vegetation analysis.  
  • Resourcesat-2A: Delivers high-resolution images for precise crop mapping.  
• Real-Time Crop Monitoring: Tracks sowing progress, crop health, and harvesting stages during the Rabi and Kharif seasons.  
• Crop Growth Simulation Model: Integrates satellite data with weather and soil information to predict crop yields.