Early Prediction of Coffee Yield in the Central Highlands of Vietnam Using a Statistical Approach and Satellite Remote Sensing Vegetation Biophysical Variables

Abstract

Given the present climate change context, accurate and timely coffee yield prediction is critical to all farmers who work in the coffee industry worldwide. The aim of this study is to develop and assess a coffee yield forecasting method at the regional scale in Dak Lak province in the central highlands of Vietnam using the Crop Growth Monitoring System Statistical Tool (CGMSstatTool—CST) software and vegetation biophysical variables (NDVI, LAI, and FAPAR) derived from satellite remote sensing (SPOT-VEGETATION and PROBA-V). There has been no research to date applying this approach to this specific crop, which is the main contribution of this study. The findings of this research reveal that the elaboration of multiple linear regression models based on a combination of information from satellite-derived vegetation biophysical variables (LAI, NDVI, and FAPAR) corresponding to the first six months of the years 2000–2019 resulted in coffee yield forecast models presenting satisfactory accuracy (Adj.R2 = 64 to 69%, RMSEp = 0.155 to 0.158 ton/ha and MAPE = 3.9 to 4.7%). These results demonstrate that the CST may efficiently predict coffee yields on a regional scale by using only satellite-derived vegetation biophysical variables. This study findings are likely to aid local governments and decision makers in precisely forecasting coffee production early and promptly, as well as in recommending relevant local agricultural policies.