NASA invites Argentine startup to present crop yield technology

An Argentine technology firm, YielData, has captured the attention of NASA with its innovative system for predicting crop yields. The startup, founded by Mariano Tamburrino, Diego Romero, and Soledad Tamburrino, has created a data infrastructure that transforms 42 years of climate information, combined with soil and management data, into an index capable of measuring harvest risk.

This technology allows for the simulation of potential crop yields and calculates the probability of production falling below a certain level. Such insights are valuable for various applications, including credit assessments, field analysis, and the design of parametric insurance coverage. The system's ability to predict outcomes based on historical data and current conditions offers a significant advantage in agricultural risk management.

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They are interested in knowing what is done with the information they generate, in practical terms, and what problems it is solving. Now they are very interested in what we are doing for parametric yield coverage.

Mariano Tamburrino explained that NASA's interest stems from understanding the practical applications of the data the agency generates. "They are interested in knowing what is done with the information they generate, in practical terms, and what problems it is solving. Now they are very interested in what we are doing for parametric yield coverage," he stated. The virtual conference, scheduled for September 22-23, will feature NASA scientists presenting their advancements alongside international specialists showcasing real-world case studies.

This is not the first time YielData has engaged with NASA. In 2024, they were selected for a NASA Power initiative, which focuses on generating and distributing satellite-derived meteorological information. At that time, the entrepreneurs demonstrated how they integrated NASA's data with soil and agricultural management information to forecast crop yields. The current focus on parametric insurance, which triggers payouts based on calculated yield falling below an agreed level, marks a significant evolution in their application of this technology.

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Our engine connects with their climate, with the soils we already have digitized and with the producer's management practices. It is a digital engine that transforms the climatic variability of the last 42 years into yield data.