The DEMETER prototype is conceived as an integrated observing system, assimilating space and ground data and numerical models in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment enhanced by IT tools.

DEMETER mimics the FAO approach by providing EO-derived crop coefficients, which is based on mature EO technology and is directly usable by the IAS. Maps of crop water requirements are obtained from applying the FAO crop coefficient methodology in a GIS framework. From these maps, spatial information (general and personalised) can be provided to the end-users by means of IT tools.