Climate, Remote sensing, and Information Systems Research & Development Unit (GRAS) of the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) of Uruguay

The GRAS Unit develops, promotes, and coordinates research projects, integrating national and international scientists from several disciplines such as plant physiology, water management, soil science, agricultural and environmental economics, agroclimatology, simulation models management, remote sensing, carbon emission and sequestration, carbon market, innovation and technology management, among others. The GRAS team-work is focused on the development of global topics using new and emergent tools and technologies.

Studies and activities looking for agricultural practices and production systems better adapted to the climate variability and the climate change have high priority. Analyses and studies of greenhouse gases release and sequestration, and carbon market related issues, 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.

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 Unit has been developing with the International Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development Center (IFDC) an Information and Decision Support System (IDSS) for the Agricultural sector. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA) and the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) are giving technological advice and support for new satellite remote sensors data management, and for global and regional climate forecasting and climate change information. Projects about Climate variability and climate change assessment and adaptation at regional and local level are developed jointly with the National Agricultural Research Institutes of Argentina (INTA) and Brazil (EMBRAPA), and the Agriculture Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) of Australia.
Several GRAS projects and activities are supported and funded by institutions like START, AIACC-TWAS, and FONTAGRO.