The UK-Autonomous and Connected Earth (UK-ACE) Connected Capability Network funded by the Satellite Applications Catapult, worked with partners from Lincolnshire and the East of England this month to convene an event in Peterborough to look at how space technology can help address challenges with water and agriculture.

The event explored the opportunities to address water management challenges in the region by using space technology and remote sensing to help agriculture and the water industry manage water.  The event featured panel sessions; Defining the Challenge; The Role of Space Technology; and Funding for Innovation.

With over 60 delegates, from multiple regional and national organisations, the event included workshop sessions to identify a portfolio of potential water management projects which could be delivered in the region.  These project ideas will now be developed further, with the aim of securing national and regional support.

Conclusions found that much data is already available from space, and more will become available as the coverage of earth observation (EO) systems increase rapidly.  However this data is often not joined with end users in agriculture or the water sector and collaborating on a cross sector basis can offer possibilities to use space data to make more informed decisions on water management, in near real time, to deliver substantial regional benefits.

If you would like to be involved in further discussions and development, please contact Stuart Catchpole at Space East on stuart.catchpole@spaceeast.co.uk or Martin Collison for the UK Food Valley at martin@collisonassociates.co.uk.