Kernel and NASA examine Ukraine's fields from space: Key findings
Kernel introduces satellite field monitoring with NASA support (photo: kernel.ua)
Ukraine has completed the first phase of testing a satellite-based field monitoring system developed by Kernel and NASA Harvest, according to an agricultural technology giant's statement.
How satellite field audits work
Kernel's collaboration with the international scientific initiative NASA Harvest has moved beyond data sharing to deliver its first measurable results.
A research team involving the University of Strasbourg, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has completed testing a technology that uses satellite monitoring to track crop rotation on Ukrainian fields.
The project aims to develop a digital tool that can remotely verify compliance with sustainable farming practices over several years. This is important for agricultural producers, as it could simplify access to financing from international partners and facilitate operations in the EU market.
To calibrate the technology, Kernel provided data from 87 fields involved in the company's pilot carbon project, which is already undergoing independent international validation.
This made it possible to compare satellite analysis results with actual data on crops grown and field operations performed.
What the analysis of Ukrainian fields revealed
Researchers analyzed Kernel's fields in Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions, reconstructing crop rotation histories over several years and identifying the use of sustainable farming practices.
For example, the share of cases in which the same crop was grown on a field for two consecutive years fell from 16.5% in 2017–2020 to 0.8% in 2021–2025.
Most of the fields studied showed consistent rotation between different crops. In simple terms, regularly changing crops helps preserve soil fertility and reduce the risk of soil degradation.
How the technology will help farmers and what comes next
For farmers and financial institutions, the technology addresses one of the biggest challenges in agricultural audits: verifying a field's history over several years will become easier and less expensive, thanks to digital verification based on satellite data.
This could pave the way for access to sustainable financing, cooperation with international buyers, certification, and compliance with EU regulatory requirements.
Over time, such solutions could be used not only by agricultural producers but also by banks, government institutions, and other market participants that need to verify the sustainability of agricultural production.
Marta Trofimova, Kernel's Head of Sustainability, said the company knows firsthand how challenging it can be to demonstrate compliance with sustainable farming practices.
"That is why it is important to us that the experience Kernel is gaining today helps develop solutions for the entire market. Ukrainian agricultural producers need simple and reliable ways to demonstrate compliance with market requirements and European standards," she said.
"This is where we see the practical value of this cooperation," Trofimova emphasized.
The next phase of testing will cover more complex parameters, including identifying tillage methods and measuring areas planted with green manure and cover crops.
In the longer term, the developers plan to scale up the satellite analysis system across Ukraine.
NASA Harvest is a NASA consortium focused on global food security and agriculture.
The program uses satellite observations and develops analytical tools to assess crop yields, cropping patterns, and the sustainability of agricultural production. These tools are used by governments, international organizations, and financial institutions.
In April 2026, Kernel launched a strategic partnership with NASA Harvest to improve satellite monitoring of agricultural land. The company provides real-world data from its own fields to train machine-learning algorithms, enabling the development of a remote system for analyzing farming practices and helping Ukraine's agricultural sector adapt to EU standards.
We also reported recently that the agricultural technology giant successfully tested new Ukrainian-made modular grain storage facilities that can be deployed in just a few days. The solution will allow farmers to quickly expand grain storage capacity and protect their harvests amid logistical challenges.
