1. A method of predicting crop yield comprising the steps of: a. receiving data, said data including: i. normalized difference vegetation index data; ii. soil moisture data; iii. surface temperature data; and iv. rainfall data; and b. identifying a “piecewise linear empirical equation with at least one break point,” said “piecewise linear empirical equation with at least one break point” including coefficients; and c. determining said coefficients for said “piecewise linear empirical equation with at least one break point” by performing an optimization process on said “piecewise linear empirical equation with at least one break point” using said data.