WatchITgrow

WatchITgrow is a VITO Remote Sensing platform that monitors arable crops and vegetables at field level by fusing satellite imagery (Sentinel-2 optical and Sentinel-1 radar via CropSAR), weather data, soil data, IoT sensor readings and grower-supplied field records. Machine-learning analytics convert this multi-source time series into actionable crop-status overviews, vegetation and maturity maps, harvest-date and yield estimates, and personalised agronomic advice delivered through a web application and a REST API.

Key capabilities:

• Vegetation Indices & Crop Status: Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery refreshed every 3–5 days drives NDVI-based vegetation maps and growth-stage assessments.
• All-Weather Monitoring: CropSAR fuses Sentinel-1 radar with optical data to maintain crop information under overcast conditions.
• Field-Level Alerts & Advice: Automated anomaly detection and timely, personalised recommendations for planting, fertilisation, irrigation and haulm destruction.
• Seasonal & Historical Benchmarking: Trend analysis and digital field records spanning multiple seasons support yield benchmarking and sustainability reporting.
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: A shared platform connecting growers, contractors, advisors and buyers across the agri-value chain.
• API Integration: REST API with JSON outputs integrates WatchITgrow task cards into farm-management and precision-farming software packages.

Originally developed for the Belgian potato sector, WatchITgrow has expanded to arable crops, vegetables and flax cultivation across Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany.