AIRCAS Researchers Strengthen UK Partnerships on Crop Monitoring and Smart Agriculture

A research team led by Prof. HUANG Wenjiang and Dr. ZHANG Biyao from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), visited the Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Southampton in the UK from September 19 to 22, 2025. The visit was conducted under the framework of the Sino-UK Crop Pest and Disease Forecasting & Management Joint Laboratory, a CAS-level international research unit.

The team held in-depth discussions with Prof. Han Liangxiu's AI sensing group at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on the use of high-precision sensors mounted on robots for real-time crop monitoring to support precision agriculture.

At the University of Southampton, they exchanged views with Prof. Jadu Dash's team on vegetation parameter retrieval, remote sensing of crop growth, and the impacts of climate change on vegetation.

Both sides agreed to advance collaboration in joint project proposals, PhD training, and data sharing. Prof. Han and Prof. Dash were appointed as members of the Joint Laboratory's International Advisory Committee.

The visit strengthened Sino-UK cooperation in vegetation remote sensing, crop monitoring, and sustainable agriculture, injecting new momentum into joint research on food security and global change.

A group photo of this visit. (Image by AIR)