Multi-Frequency SAR to Monitor Agriculture in the Americas

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) delivers annual maps of crops grown across Canada, operationally, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical satellite data. This study applies the AAFC methodology to sites in Latin America to test performance and adaptability to these cropping systems, using TerraSAR-X and RADARSAT SAR data. Overall classification results are promising (79.4% to 86.0%), but improvements will occur with better matching of SAR collection dates to local growing seasons, and by acquiring more robust field observations. These improvements will be the subject of additional research by AAFC and partner organizations, in this region.