News
24.06.2021
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
We would like to inform you that our next webinar, initially planned for July, will be postponed to 14 September. Please, save the date in your calendar! The access link for this 8th webinar will be communicated later in September.
We'd also like to inform you of a possible issue with Sentinel-1 pre-processing using the Sen4CAP v2.0.
The Sen4CAP v2.0 is provided with SNAP 7.0 (and the possibility to use a SNAP 8.0 docker image). Unfortunately, these versions are not able to update some modules in SNAP and for both versions, you might encounter problems with the S1 pre-processing, which does not start.
Meanwhile, a new SNAP minor version (8.0.3) has been released that corrects some issues or updates some locations for orbit files. These corrections are not in the official Sen4CAP 2.0 version but they can be provided for the users encountering issues with S1 pre-processing. Please, contact us on the forum and we will distribute them.
Note that it does not solve everything - for unknown reasons (so far), there could still be some issues of availability of the orbit files for some regions or periods.
I wish you a very nice summer and I look forward to meeting you again in a few weeks.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
21.05.2021
After the 7th webinar
Check the recording and the presentation from the 7th Sen4CAP webinar.
06.05.2021
The 7th Sen4CAP webinar on Tuesday, 18 May, at 14h30 (Brussels time)
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
We are pleased to inform you that the 7th Sen4CAP webinar will take place on Tuesday 18 May, from 14h30 to 15h30 CEST as usual.
During this webinar, you will be informed about two CAP-related initiatives:
- EO-WIDGET Project Building on Sen4CAP: proposition to PAs and/or their incumbent suppliers for new ways of implementing Checks by Monitoring via commodity services/products; managed IT environment incorporating/evolving Sen4CAP specifications and algorithms; full-country beta operations of 2021 growing season is ongoing.
- Expert Judgement Application: Sinergise will present the application intended for authorized operators to decide about the “inconclusive parcels”, where the machine learning fails to determine compliance (or non-compliance) with an appropriate level of confidence.
We will also organize a question & answer session focusing on version 2.0 of the Sen4CAP system.
The access link for this 7th webinar is the following one: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/523364549.
Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is 523-364-549.
You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. As usual, the event will be open 20 minutes before the start.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
18.03.2021
Recordings and presentations of the Final User Workshop
To all who joined the Sen4CAP Final User Workshop, thank you for your active participation!
If you missed it or you want to watch it again, you can find the recordings at the following link. You can also find the presentations here.
Hoping to see you soon at one of our next events.
25.02.2021
The Final User Workshop Registration
Please register for the workshop by 2 March 2021. The event will be open for the registered users only.
Agenda
The agenda can be downloaded here.
Speak out!
We are kindly inviting the candidates willing to present their key achievements using the Sen4CAP system. If interested, please contact me.
User survey
To best prepare for the workshop, we are interested in your opinion about the Sen4CAP system. We would be very grateful if you can fill in a quick survey – it will take you less than 5 minutes!
Looking forward to seeing you at the workshop.
On behalf of the Sen4CAP consortium,
Sophie Bontemps
Project coordinator
22.02.2021
The Final User Workshop of the Sen4CAP project on 4-5 March 2021
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
We are pleased to announce that the Final User Workshop of the Sen4CAP project will be organized online on 4-5 March 2021 (9h-13h30). This workshop will combine a general session (March 4) presenting and discussing the Sen4CAP system uptake and lessons learned with a technical session on March 5 focusing on the new version v2.0 of the system.
We will send you soon the agenda, the registration link and other logistic information but in the meantime, please save the dates!
Note that this user workshop will substitute the webinar that was initially planned for March 2.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
08.02.2021
Release of the version 2.0 of the Sen4CAP system
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
I am pleased to announce you the new version (2.0) of the Sen4CAP system, which is a major upgrade.
This version can be downloaded from our website or GitHub.
Version 2.0 includes the following new functionalities:
- Marker database and REST API for accessing it
- Tillage detection, included in the L4C processor
- Docker containerization
- Support for MAJA version 4.2.1
- Possibility to use alternative DEMs (AsterDEM or Copernicus EU DEM) for Sentinels pre-processing
This new version 2.0 is fully documented in the System User Manual v2.0, also updated and available both in the installation package and on the website.
Note that the automatic ingestion of Landsat 8 from the USGS portal is not functional in this version, due to recent changes in the USGS API.
The version 2.0 will be presented in detail and discussed with you during the next webinar, on 2nd March 2021.
In the meantime, would you have any question, you can contact us on the forum.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
13.01.2021
After the 6th webinar
Check the recording and the presentation from the 6th Sen4CAP webinar.
07.01.2021
The 6th Sen4CAP webinar on Tuesday, 12 January, at 14h30 (Brussels time)
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
Let me remind you of the next Sen4CAP webinar planned for Tuesday 12 January, at 14h30 (Brussels time).
We will present the outcomes of the 2020 demonstration in the Sen4CAP pilot countries. We will also make a general presentation of the next version 2.0 of the Sen4CAP system, mainly focusing on the markers database. After the update on the project activities, there will be a question & answer session.
The access link for this 6th webinar is the following one: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/167322381.
Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is 167-322-381.
You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. As usual, the event will be open 20 minutes before the start.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
25.11.2020
Q&A session next Thursday, 3 December, at 14h30 (Brussels time)
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
As announced during the last webinar, we will organize a Question and Answer session to follow-up the release of the new Sen4CAP version.
This session is planned for next Thursday, 3 December, at 14h30 (Brussels time).
The access link for this Q&A session is: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/592982253.
Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is: 592-982-253.
You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. The event will be open 15 minutes before the start if you want to test it.
You can also book the date of Tuesday, 12 January, at 14h30 (Brussels time) in your diary for the next webinar.
In the meantime, would you have any question regarding the system, don't hesitate to use our forum. And for more general question, you can always contact me.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
12.11.2020
After the 5th webinar
Check the recording and the presentation from the 5th Sen4CAP webinar.
28.10.2020
The 5th Sen4CAP webinar on Tuesday 10 November, at 14h30 (CEST time)
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
I am pleased to announce the 5th Sen4CAP webinar which is planned on Tuesday 10 November, at 14h30 (CEST time).
During this webinar, we will update you on the project activities and open a question & answer session.
We will have a special focus on the support activities that might be needed over the mid-term and how to organize them. As you may know, the Sen4CAP project will step in March 2021 and we are looking for a way of continuing supporting your community and ensuring the system uptake.
The agenda:
- Presentation of version 1.3 and the next releases until the end of the project
- Presentation of the new processor for tillage detection
- Presentation of the Sen4CAP experiment by Denmark (made by Justina Vitkute)
- Preparing the end of the project in terms of user support
The access link for this 5th Webinar is the following one: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/807804237
Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is: 807-804-237.
You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. As usual, the event will be open 20 minutes before the start, also if you want to test it.
Kind regards,
Sophie
Project coordinator
30.09.2020
Plan for a new Sen4CAP module for calculation of agri-environmental indicators for large areas as a result of collaboration with the H2020 NIVA project
The primary purpose of Sen4CAP processing chain is automated Monitoring of agricultural practices, the establishment of Reports, and the Verification of CAP declarations (known as MRV). Nevertheless, the use of remote sensing in the next CAP will probably not be limited to the MRV.
In the framework of the H2020 NIVA project, and at the request of the DGs Agri, Climate and Environment, methods for calculating agri-environmental indicators based on the use of Sentinel data will be tested in several countries via a collaboration between the French Paying Agency (ASP), the IGN and three INRAe laboratories (CESBIO, DYNAFOR, LBAE). Of the twelve indicators proposed by these laboratories, three have been considered as priorities: C budget, biodiversity and nitrate leaching risk. The algorithms used to calculate these agri-environmental indicators for large areas will soon be integrated as a module in the SEN4CAP processing chain.
The module for monitoring and calculating agri-environmental indicators could be very useful to farmers by enabling them to establish agronomic diagnostics on a plot-by-plot basis and thus to improve their practices (input modulation, improvement of soil fertility, etc.) and their net margins.
Check the Theia Bulletin article (pages 8-9) for more details.
01.09.2020
The 4th webinar postponed to Tuesday 8 September
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
We hope you could enjoy the summer and have enjoyable and relaxing holidays.
The 4th webinar, initially planned this afternoon, is postponed to next week. It will be hold on Tuesday 8 September, at 14h30 (Belgium time).
The access link for this Webinar will be: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/140421301
Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code will be: 140-421-301.
The event will be open 20 minutes before the start if you want to test it.
The agenda:
- Presentation of the Sen4CAP system v1.2
- Introduction of the concept and design of the markers database which will be included in the next versions of the Sen4CAP system
- Application of the Sen4CAP system in the context of the RACE dashboard (winter cereals harvesting in Spain)
Hoping to "see" you next week!
16.07.2020
Release of the version 1.2 of the Sen4CAP system
A new version (1.2) of the Sen4CAP system is now available. This version can be downloaded from System download page or GitHub.
This new version fixes bugs found in the previous version 1.1 mainly related to the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 download and pre-processing and to the upgrade from the version 1.0. It also includes a correction of the L4A processor to ensure the proper use of the Sentinel-1 markers in the crop type classification.
We'd also like to inform you that a new page has been added on our website, documenting all Frequently Asked Questions.
22.06.2020
Questions & Answers sessions, 25th June and 7th July, 14h30 (CEST)
These sessions will last around 1h and will be the opportunity for you to ask your technical questions to our team.
Session 1 (25/06): connection link https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/989481301. Conference access code by phone if needed is: 989-481-301.
Session 2 (07/07): connection link https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/185941317. Conference access code by phone if needed is: 185-941-317.
09.06.2020
Presentation from the 3rd Webinar
Check the presentation shown at the 3rd Webinar here.
04.06.2020
How to install / update my system?
01.06.2020
3rd Webinar on 9th June, 14h30 (CEST)
The 3rd webinar will be organised on Tuesday 9 June, 14h30 (CEST time). This webinar will last around 1h and we will update you on the project activities, with a focus on the new version 1.1 of the system, and open a question & answer session.
Connection link is https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/552397117. Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is: 552-397-117. You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. The event will be open 20 minutes before the start, also if you want to test it.
29.05.2020
Release of the version 1.1 of the Sen4CAP system
We are happy to announce you the availability of the new version of the Sen4CAP system. This new version includes a set of new features (e.g. download and usage of Sen2Cor L2A products configurable via database, reports and statistics for the download and pre-processing) and fixes a number of issues (in LPIS import module and L4x processors, in the installation and upgrade scripts, in the web interface, etc.).
The new system is available on our website and on GitHub. All changes are listed in the Change log file.
04.05.2020
2nd Webinar on 5th May, 14h30 (CEST)
The 2nd webinar will be organised on Tuesday 5 May, 14h30 (CEST time). This training will last around 1h and we will update you on the project activities, host presentations from DIAS representatives hosting and running Sen4CAP, and open a question & answer session. Connection link is https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/302659653. Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is: 302-659-653. You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. The event will be open 20 minutes before the start, also if you want to test it.
29.04.2020
Presentations and chat logs of the online trainings on 21st and 28th April
Presentations of the Sen4CAP training for beginners can be found here. There were many questions from the participants during both trainings, so we also published chat logs.
15.04.2020
Register to the waiting list for the online training
Both online trainings (on 21st and 28th April) are full. Since the interest for the training exceeded our expectations, we decided to create a waiting list. From this list, we will select the participants from institutions which were not able to register until now. Please register to the waiting list here and we will keep you informed by e-mail.
15.04.2020
Second session of the online training on 28th April - participants limit was reached
The 50 participants limit was reached for the second online training (28th of April). We are thinking about an alternative like recorded sessions available on the website or the organisation of another training. We will keep you informed through the website and via the mailing list.
14.04.2020
Second session of the online training on 28th April, 14h30 (CEST)
In order to account for your high interest in the online training (we have already more than 50 registrations), we will organise a second session the following week, on the 28st of April, at 14h30 CEST. Indeed, we would like to keep the number of participants in a reasonable limit to allow as many interactions as possible. Please register to the event here.
If the number of registration for this second session is quite low, we might decide to finally merge the 2 events and have everybody on the 21st April. We will keep you informed. The agenda of the training will be exactly the same for the two sessions.
Connection link will be sent to the registered participants by email.
09.04.2020
Online training on 21st April, 14h30 (CEST)
The 1st online training will be organized on Tuesday 21 April, 14h30 (CEST time). This training will last around 1h30 and will explain how to operate the system and upload declarations and auxiliary data. Agenda is available here. Connection link will be sent to the registered participants by email. Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. The event will be open 30 minutes before the start, also if you want to test it.
As there were more than 150 participants at the last webinar, we will have to limit the audience of the online training to make interactions easier. Please register to the event here.
25.03.2020
Webinar and online training organized in April
Dear colleagues and Sen4CAP users,
We hope you are all doing fine, in this strange period of almost-generalized quarantine.
Following the Sen4CAP hands-on training from January in Belgium, we would like to set up online activities and interactions, through webinars and trainings.
The first webinar is planned for Tuesday 7 April, at 14h30 (CEST time). Webinars will then be organized on a regular basis, every first Tuesday of each month (5th May, 2nd June). During this webinar, we will update you on the project activities and open a question & answer session. Would you have any activity/result to report to the other participants, don't hesitate to contact the project coordinator, Sophie Bontemps.
Online training will also be organized on Tuesday 21 April, 14h30 (CEST time). This training will last around 1h and will explain how to operate the system and upload declarations and auxiliary data.
For all these activities, we will use the GoToMeeting teleconference system. The access link for the 1st Webinar is the following one: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/911380533. Audio connection is possible directly through your computer, but also by phone. In this latter case, the conference access code is: 911-380-533. You can already do a quick check of your teleconferencing system here. On Tuesday 7 April, the event will be open 30 minutes before the start, also if you want to test it.
06.03.2020
Sen4CAP user forum
Sen4CAP users are invited to join the Sen4CAP forum where the technical support team will provide answer to questions on system installation and configuration, use of the Sen4CAP web interface, individual processors and visualisation tool.
27.01.2020
After the Sen4CAP hands-on training
Sen4CAP hands-on training was hosted by the Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in Louvain-la-Neuve, near Brussels in Belgium. There were 44 participants from 20 different countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden.
The first day was dedicated to theoretical lectures on the Sen4CAP system and its processors. The second day was all about practice - the participants worked with the Sen4CAP system on Unix Virtual Machines on CREODIAS, learned about system installation and explored the Sen4CAP products. See the agenda here.
You can also download the presentations: Day 1, Day 2.
Many thanks to all of you who participated and gave your feedback regarding the Sen4CAP!
20.01.2019
Registration to the Sen4CAP hands-on training closed
Registration for the hands-on training on the 22-23 January 2020 in Belgium has been closed because we have reached the maximum number of registrations for the event. Thank you for your interest!
22.12.2019
Sen4CAP hands-on training scheduled for 22-23 January in Belgium
A hands-on training is scheduled on the 22-23 January 2020 in Belgium to introduce the Sen4CAP modules and enhance the awareness about the markers and products use for the CAP. This training is collocated with the Direct Payment Committee. A draft agenda is provided here, as well as some logistic information. To register to the training, please mail to info@esa-sen4cap.org providing your first name, name and email address.
Rooms have been pre-booked for the participants in MARTIN's hotel and IBIS hotel (fill in this form to book a room in IBIS hotel). You will find more details in the document with the logistic information (above).
2.12.2019
Sen4CAP was presented at the 25th MARS conference in Prague, 26-28 November 2019.
Sen4CAP was presented on 28th November by Sophie Bontemps. A 45-minute seminar was held on 27th November to present in more details the Sen4CAP processing system. Pilot paying agencies also reported on their Sen4CAP lessons learned during the conference throughout oral presentations or informal discussions.
28.11.2019
28.11.2019
Sen4CAP hands-on training scheduled for 20-21 January in Belgium
A hands-on training is scheduled on the 20-21 January 2020 in Belgium to introduce the Sen4CAP modules and enhance the awareness about the markers and products use for the CAP. This training is collocated with the Direct Payment Committee. To attend the training please mail to info@esa-sen4cap.org. More information will be provided shortly on the exact location and agenda.
25.11.2019
1.0 release candidate of the open-source Sen4CAP Earth Observation processing system
After the release of the Beta version of the Sen4CAP system in July this year, a new version is made available during the 25th MARS conference. This new version is accessible for the whole group of Paying Agencies but also for any other Earth Observation (EO) user interested in the system, under the GPL v3.0 license.
You can download the installation package through our website, and install it on the computing infrastructure of your choice. The Sen4CAP system source code is also hosted on GitHub repository.
For the mandated Paying Agencies, there is also the possibility to get access to a test virtual machine where the system is already installed and to test the system over a small area (contact Sophie Bontemps or send an email to info@esa-sen4cap.org).
15.11.2019
Castilla y Leon paying agency shared their experience with Sen4CAP at the NIVA (New IACS Vision in Action) stakeholder forum in Copenhagen, on 13th November 2019.
2.7.2019
The Beta version of the Sen4CAP Earth Observation processing system is now available for the whole group of Paying Agencies.
1.7.2019
4.6.2019
Sen4CAP was presented in the framework of a scientific seminar dedicated to the European Court of Auditors.
3.6.2019
Sen4CAP was presented to the NASA Harvest Programme.
30.5.2019
Sen4CAP was presented at the National Reference Center (NRC) on Environment and Agriculture (EEA) in Copenhagen, in May 2019.
23.5.2019
Sen4CAP was presented by CREODIAS at the Pantha Rhei conference in Copenhagen, on 22nd May 2019.
17.5.2019
Sen4CAP was presented at the Living Planet Symposium in Milan, on 15th May 2019.
12.4.2019
Sen4CAP was presented at the ICAS workshop in Valladolid, on 10th April 2019.
20.2.2019
Sen4CAP was presented at the Learning Network Plenary Meeting in Brussels, on 18th February 2019.
23.11.2018
Sen4CAP project was presented at the 24th MARS Conference, 21st November 2018, Dubrovnik.
10.10.2018
Sen4CAP was presented at the Panta Rhei Conference, Andau, Austria, on 5th October 2018.
21.8.2018
10.7.2018
Sen4CAP was presented during the last Learning Network Meeting (Directors of Paying Agencies and Coordinating Bodies) in Brussels, on 10th July 2018.
22.5.2018
EU adopted a new set of rules making evolving the CAP from the on-the-spot check system to the 2020+ monitoring era.
ESA WebStory about the voting of the monitoring approach.
17.5.2018
Sen4CAP has been presented by DG-Agri at the OECD Global Forum on Agriculture, 15th May, Paris.
22.3.2018
The consortium was invited to present its first results about Sentinels evidence for CAP monitoring during the Direct Payment Committee that was hold on March 20 in Brussels.
9.2.2018
Benjamin Koetz (ESA) presented the current achievements and the next steps of our project at the Copernicus for Agriculture workshop organized in Brussels on the 5th February.
Link to presentation
Photo: Copernicus Support Office
30.11.2017
Presentation of the Sen4CAP project on the 23rd MARS Conference, 28th November, Gormanston.
23.11.2017
Sen4CAP side event of the 23rd MARS conference, 27th November, Gormanston.
30.10.2017
Discussion document on the introduction of monitoring to substitute OTSC.
25.10.2017
Attendance to the 52nd Panta Rhei conference, 25th to 27th October 2017, El Escorial, Spain.
20.7.2017
First User Workshop in Brussels, 20th July.
31.5.2017
IACS conference
Sen4CAP presentation and DG-Agri announcement of the CAP monitoring approach
17.5.2017
European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan announcing the Sen4CAP project.
Article on Irish Farmers Journal
