Science and technology FAQs

Definition of Key Terms

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): A sophicated type of microwave radar used by satellites to capture images of the Earth's surface, even through clouds and at night.

Digital Twin: A virtual replica of something physical—in this case, a rice field—created using satellite data and computer models.

dMRV: Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification—a digital system based on satellite data that helps assess and monitor crop growth and farming practices in near real-time and with high precision.

What is SAR and how does Mitti Labs use this technology?

SAR is a sophisticated radar imaging system that captures high-resolution images (25 cm to 30 m) of the Earth’s surface using microwaves signals rather than visible light. Mitti Labs employs satellite-based SAR technology to monitor rice fields across India with exceptional reliability and precision. Unlike regular optical sensors that can be blocked by clouds, SAR can penetrate through atmospheric interference, clouds and vegetation canopies. The penetration capability, combined with its all-weather conditions and capture data both day and night, makes SAR indispensable for continuous agriculture monitoring including seeding, irrigation, and burning of crop residues in rice farming.

What are Digital Twins in agriculture and does this concept apply to Mitti’s scientific approach?

A Digital Twin is a detailed digital replica of a physical rice field or farming region. Mitti Labs builds these sophisticated digital twin models by combining different sources of satellite data. This lets us capture, analyze and verify what is happening in a field in real time—like planting dates, water usage, or greenhouse gas emissions. These Digital Twins provide reliable, science-based ground truth data that helps farmers implement Climate-smart practices and lets buyers gain confidence in the high-integrity of our credits.

How much data does Mitti Labs collect? What are some key data sources?

Mitti Labs collects millions of data points each month from different data sources:

• Multiple satellites: Sentinel-1, SAOCOM, NISAR, UMBRA

• Different frequencies of radar and optical imagery: L-band, C-band, X-band, thermal and visible bands

• Field sensors and ground teams

Each data type focuses on different aspects of rice fields—from water levels to seeding methods to residue burning.

How is this data processed and verified?

Mitti Labs uses advanced algorithms and modeling to process satellite data. But to make sure this data is accurate:

• Ground teams collect real-world observations from rice fields.

• The results from satellite data are compared (or "validated") with these ground measurements.

• Quality checks (QA/QC) ensure that the information used is reliable for scientific analysis and decision-making.

What are biochemical models and how does Mitti Labs use them?

Biochemical models simulate how rice plants grow and interact with their environment. Mitti Labs uses these models to predict outcomes like crop yields or greenhouse gas emissions. These simulations are vital for producing high-integrity carbon credits, because they provide scientifically validated proof of emission reductions.

Why has Mitti Labs developed a rice-specific dMRV?

Our dMRV platform combines satellite data and ground data to track how rice is grown and the impact it has on the environment (for example on water use and GHG emissions). A rice-specific dMRV is essential because rice farming is unique—especially in the way it releases methane—so general systems won’t capture the right data accurately. Mitti Labs’ rice-focused dMRV ensures precision and trustworthiness for carbon markets and sustainable farming initiatives.