The Irrigation, Climate, Environment and Satellite Agriculture team (GRAS), of the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) of Uruguay, was formed in 1997 for planning and executing research projects and activities related with irrigated systems of production with pastures and field crops. Currently, the GRAS also coordinates and develops projects and activities related with climate, environment and satellite agriculture.

The GRAS is an interdisciplinary team, integrated with scientists from several disciplines such as plant physiology, water management and irrigation, soil science, agricultural and environmental economics, agroclimatology, simulation models management, remote sensing, innovation and technology management, among others. The team-work is focused on the development of global topics using new and emergent tools and technologies.

Studies and activities looking for better agricultural practices for natural resources and environmental preservation have high priority. Analysis and study of greenhouse gases release and sequestration, and water and soil quality monitoring and preservation in intensive production systems, are some projects currently under development.

Modern tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and long distance and short distance remote sensors, are extensively used in GRAS activities.

Emergent disciplines and topics such as Precision Agriculture, Environmental Economics, Carbon Market, and Information and Decision Support Systems integrating remote sensing, GIS, and simulation models, are the main GRAS focus of work and training.

One of the GRAS more important strategies in all projects and research activities is the development of collaborative research and links with international specialized institutions. For example, the GRAS is developing with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an Information and Decision Support System for the Agricultural sector. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA) is giving technological advice for new satellite remote sensors data management and use. Water quality monitoring and preservation studies are being conducted jointly with The University of Georgia (UGA) in field crops and pastures production systems, and with North Carolina State University (NCSU) in forestry systems.

Information about GRAS activities and projects, can be found in the WEB site:

www.inia.org.uy/disciplinas/agroclima/

Contacts: Agustin Gimenez, GRAS coordinator (agimenez@inia.org.uy), Daniel Martino (martino@inia.org.uy), Ricardo Romero (romero@inia.org.uy)