ENVISION · Project

Satellite-Powered Platform That Automates Farm Environmental Compliance Monitoring Year-Round

environmentPilotedTRL 7

envision-h2020.eu

Imagine trying to check whether thousands of farms across an entire country are following environmental rules — but you can only visit a handful each year. ENVISION built a platform that uses satellite images and machine learning to monitor all agricultural land automatically, all year round. It can tell what crops are growing, whether soil is eroding, if grasslands are being mowed when they shouldn't be, and whether farms claiming to be organic actually look organic from space. Think of it as a Google Maps for farm compliance — except it updates constantly and flags problems before inspectors even get in their cars.

By the numbers

consortium partners involved in development

countries where the platform was validated

industry partners including SMEs in the consortium

categories of business cases tested

satellite-derived data products (crop maps, soil carbon, vegetation, crop growth, grassland mowing, soil erosion)

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Paying Agencies and Certification Bodies across Europe must verify that millions of farmers comply with environmental rules under the Common Agricultural Policy — but current methods rely on costly physical field inspections that only cover a tiny fraction of farms each year. This leaves most non-compliance undetected, wastes inspector time on compliant farms, and creates unfair conditions where some farmers cheat without consequence while others face random audits.

The solution

What was built

ENVISION built a complete monitoring platform (delivered in initial and final versions) that uses satellite imagery, machine learning, and data fusion to automatically track environmental compliance across entire territories. The platform produces 6 specific data products: crop type maps, soil organic carbon, vegetation status, crop growth patterns, grassland mowing/ploughing detection, and soil erosion monitoring — plus an Add-on Development Tool for custom extensions.

Audience

Who needs this

National and regional Paying Agencies managing CAP farm subsidies across EU member statesOrganic farming certification bodies verifying producer complianceEarth observation and AgTech companies seeking ready-made environmental monitoring productsAgricultural ministries and regional authorities responsible for environmental policy enforcementInsurance companies assessing agricultural and environmental risk at scale

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Agricultural Payment Agencies

enterprise

Target: National or regional Paying Agencies managing CAP subsidies

If you are a Paying Agency struggling to verify compliance across thousands of farm subsidy applications — ENVISION developed a fully automated platform tested by 13 partners across 7 countries that monitors environmental and climate requirements of CAP using satellite data. Instead of random field inspections covering a fraction of farms, you get territory-wide monitoring that flags non-compliance automatically, reducing inspection costs and improving audit accuracy.

Certification & Auditing

mid-size

Target: Organic farming certification bodies and environmental auditors

If you are a certification body that needs to verify organic farming claims but can only physically visit a small percentage of farms — ENVISION built tools that distinguish organic from conventional farming using satellite imagery and machine learning. The platform was validated in pre-operational conditions across 3 categories of business cases, giving you continuous evidence-based monitoring instead of periodic spot checks.

AgTech & Precision Farming

SME

Target: Earth observation service providers and agricultural technology companies

If you are an AgTech company looking to expand your product portfolio with environmental compliance services — ENVISION created an open Add-on Development Tool that lets you build custom monitoring applications on top of their platform. With 5 industry partners already involved in development and ready-made data products like crop type maps, soil organic carbon tracking, and vegetation status, you can integrate proven satellite analytics into your existing services.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to use the ENVISION platform?

The project conducted market analysis and business model experimentation to determine commercially viable pricing. Based on available project data, specific pricing is not published — but as an Innovation Action with commercial service design, expect subscription-based models typical for Earth observation services. Contact the coordinator for current licensing terms.

Can this scale to monitor an entire country's farmland?

ENVISION was specifically designed for territory-wide, all-year-round monitoring — not just individual fields. The platform uses Copernicus and GEOSS satellite data which cover all of Europe, and the toolbox was built to be fully automated and scalable. It was tested across 7 countries with 13 partners validating different use cases.

Who owns the technology and can I license it?

The platform was developed by a consortium of 13 partners led by DRAXIS ENVIRONMENTAL SA, a Greek SME. The project explored multiple business models to identify those creating the greatest value. Licensing arrangements would need to be negotiated with the consortium, likely through the coordinator.

Does this meet EU Common Agricultural Policy requirements?

Yes — one of the 3 core business cases was specifically monitoring multiple environmental and climate requirements of CAP. The platform was built in close interaction with its future customers, including Paying Agencies and Certification Bodies who enforce CAP rules. This makes it directly applicable to the current and upcoming CAP monitoring needs.

How mature is the technology — is it ready to deploy?

The project delivered both an initial and final version of the ENVISION platform, tested in a pre-operational environment by potential future customers including Lighthouse Customers. As an Innovation Action (not a research project), the focus was on bringing technology close to market. The platform is at late pilot stage.

What data sources does it use and can it integrate with existing systems?

ENVISION uses Copernicus satellite data, GEOSS, in-situ measurements, open data, and historical on-field check data. It applies machine learning, data fusion, and multi-source management — meaning it can combine your existing field inspection data with satellite monitoring. The Add-on Development Tool allows custom integrations.

What specific outputs does the platform deliver?

The platform produces 6 concrete data products: cultivated crop type maps, soil organic carbon levels, vegetation status, crop growth analysis distinguishing organic from conventional farming, grassland mowing and ploughing detection, and soil erosion monitoring. These are delivered through a monitoring service toolbox with tools for both agencies and farmers.

Consortium

Who built it

The ENVISION consortium of 13 partners across 7 countries has a strong commercial orientation — 5 industry partners (38% ratio) and 5 SMEs signal this was built for market, not just for publication. The coordinator, DRAXIS ENVIRONMENTAL SA from Greece, is itself an SME in the environmental services space, meaning the lead organization has direct commercial incentive to bring this to market. With 3 research organizations providing scientific depth, 1 university, and 4 other organizations likely including Paying Agencies or public bodies as end-users, the consortium balances technical capability with real customer involvement. The geographic spread across Southern and Eastern Europe (Greece, Cyprus, Belgium, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovenia, UK) covers diverse agricultural landscapes and regulatory environments, which strengthens the platform's claim of scalability.

DRAXIS ENVIRONMENTAL SACoordinator · EL
AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS IKEparticipant · EL
LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING LBGparticipant · UK
NACIONALINE MOKEJIMO AGENTURA PRIE ZEMES UKIO MINISTERIJOSparticipant · LT
THE UNIVERSITY OF READINGparticipant · UK
ORGANISMOS AGROTIKON PLIROMONparticipant · CY
EIGEN VERMOGEN VAN HET INSTITUUT VOOR LANDBOUW- EN VISSERIJONDERZOEKparticipant · BE
INOSENS DOO NOVI SADparticipant · RS
ITC - INOVACIJSKO TEHNOLOSKI GROZD MURSKA SOBOTAparticipant · SI
VLAAMSE GEWESTparticipant · BE
ETHNIKO ASTEROSKOPEIO ATHINONparticipant · EL
ETAM ANONYMH ETAIREIA SYMBOYLEYTIKON KAI MELETHTIKON YPIRESIONparticipant · EL

How to reach the team

DRAXIS ENVIRONMENTAL SA is a Greek environmental services SME — look for their team on LinkedIn or the project website for direct contact.

Order a report on this consortium See DRAXIS ENVIRONMENTAL SA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the ENVISION team to discuss licensing their monitoring platform for your region? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right technical contact.

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