The objective of GEO is to fulfil a vision of a world where decisions and actions are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth Observation (EO). This is being pursued mainly through the added value of co-ordinating existing institutions, organised communities, space agencies, in-situ monitoring agencies, scientific institutions, research centres, universities, modelling centres, technology developers and other groups that deal with one or more aspects of EO. To reach this overarching goal, GEO focuses on capacity development in three dimensions: infrastructure, individuals and institutions. In the field of agriculture, the general goal is to promote the utilization of Earth observations for advancing sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries. Key issues include early warning, risk assessment, food security, market efficiency and combating desertification. (Source: http://www.research-europe.com/index.php/2011/08/joao-soares-secretariat-expert-for-agriculture-group-on-earth-observations/)