ESTIMATION OF ACREAGES AND YIELDS OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS AND FROM OVERHEAD PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A000400020024-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 9, 2001
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: August 2, 1965
• Content Type: MF

"Approved For Release 2001/11/19 : CIA-RDP78BO4747A000400020024-0
2 August 1965
1,MO UM ITORs Director, MC
TIIODGR ; Chief, 1/CIA
S'UI3JECT s Estimation of Acreages and Yields of Agricultural
. Crops and from Overhead Photography
1. One of the major intelligence problot relating to agricuultures
in Cotmtu ist co=trjcs is an evaluation of crop prospects and annual
production achieve nts for the major crops. At the present time our
estimates are based prim rily on such source* as currant weather
information, press reports for CorIinuniat countries, and, where possibls,
observations by US Embassy officials and other travelers. In the case of the USSR much that appears in print about crap yiolds is exalt. Mcase$,
wh3.lo for Communist China very little information is reported in the
news, or is available from other sources.
2. The crop yields of the UEo ~~ ob~ China not aala~tra deg~e
a large pa.1' in their internal ec n ,
how much assistance these countries can give to the smaller nations tYueres..
which they are attempting to convert to Connbelieve,, how
fore, that for a number of years it will be important We believe,,
know auccessi'u1 these and possibly other countries are in meeting their goals
in agriculture.
3. preliminary conversations 'with exerts in the field of aerial
photography aau ,gent that, given adequate R&D supports there may be a
good pots: ti.aal for (a) developin now photographic techniques that
would be useful in cstimting crop tyres, acreages, and yields; and
(b) developing automatic sca nnin procedures that would be necessary
to make the whole program feasible for agriculture, where large areas
must be covered or at least sampled.
4. Since we do not know what it might cost or how low it w like
take to develop the necessary techniques and equipment,,
for NPIC to explore the utter further and to rhea hosw? er until we findings.
We would not want large a auras of money c , a
could give further consideration to the balance between the need and
the effort.
DD/I Collection Guidance Staff
SECRET Declass Review By
NIMA/DOD
or Release 2001/11/19 : CIA-RDP78B04747A000400020024-0
14 L ML
NONE rz La4yZOIL
 0CT gr#,td@%pRelease 2001/11/19: CIA-RDP78B04 7A00
OCT
i7S P
CLASSIFICATION RESPONSIBLE COMPONENT
RECEIPT RB/OS
SUPPORT/SERVICE REQUIREMENT
DISSEMINATED RB/OS
(The following info is required when rqmts are levied by external organizations)
OFFICE DATE OF RQMT CONTROL NO.
NPIC DIV/DETACH PROCESSING RQMT PROJ OFF PHONE
SUPPORT REQUESTED OF PRIORITY DATE REQUIRED
(The following info is-required when rqmts are levied for internal support)
DIV/STAFF P & D S DATE OF RQMT 6 October 1965 CONTROL NO.
SUPPORT REQUESTED OF P & D S PROJ OFF
PRIORITY DATE REQUIRED 30 June 1968 2 5X1A
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The work requested is in support of ar N Old Photo interpretation proj.;
X Non-photo interpretation project. It will result in: - Hard copy report;
Project Description: "Crop Yields" Study
2. SPECIFIC SUPPORT/SERVICE REQUESTED: Support from NPIC will probably consist of:
Photographic; Reproduction; _ Mensuration; Graphics; _ ADP; Editing;.
Other (explain below) -- (Include statement as to estimated amount of work required of
support component(s); i.e., number of contact prints, enlargements, boards, etc.)
A study program to see if crop yields can be determined through
photographic interpretation.
3. URGENCY. JUSTIFICATION: (If immediate support is required a statement of justification
must be made on this form.)
DATE OF COMPLETION
NPIC FM 218 (Revised 5-65)
25X1A
S-E-C-RE-T
CLASSIFICATION
For Release 2001/11/19 : CIA-RDP78B04747A000400020024-0