Transitioning from MODIS to S-NPP VIIRS data for Agricultural Monitoring

S-NPP VIIRS was designed to provide continuity of the MODIS AQUA observations. MODIS data are being used routinely to monitor agricultural regions of the world for crop condition. This approach relies on assessing the current growing season in the context of growing previous seasons, which in turn requires multi-year observations. The MODIS data form the basis of a number of operational decision support systems currently used for agriculture. The requirement for timely information has driven the delivery of MODIS data by the near NASA real-time processing system (Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE)). In addition, research is underway to use such coarse resolution data for estimating regional crop area and yield. As the MODIS instruments age, there is a need to transition the monitoring capability to VIIRS. The operational status of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), will ensure the provision of VIIRS data into the future, with the launch of JPSS-1 planned for January 2017 and JPSS-2 in 2021. The fundamental record for coarse resolution monitoring for agricultural is the Surface Reflectance product. This product has been developed for VIIRS and validation is in progress. From the Surface Reflectance product, vegetation indices are developed. This paper reviews current agricultural monitoring and decision support approaches and presents an inter-comparison of MODIS and VIIRS observations and the initial integration of VIIRS data into LANCE and the Global Agricultural Monitoring (GLAM) System.