PHOTO: FLÁVIA ROMANELLI PHOTO: MURILO BETTARELLO


DIGITAL CONSULTANTS ▶▶▶


Digital agronomists: From data, through human input, to crops


D BY DANIEL AZEVEDO


igital technologies are opening up an entire ‘new world’ regarding crop management. Producers’ and agron- omists’ jobs are changing due to


large amounts of data and tools they have at their disposal. However, how to incorporate these properly at a farm level, is still a learning process for most of them. Innovations enable more precise and faster grower’s decisions on each step of crop production. In theory that seems easy, but there are many challenges to take advantage of these developments properly in Brazil, and indeed across the world. “I have always considered agronomists to be spreaders of technology, not just digital tech- nology, but in general. Currently, digital agri- culture is the big deal”, says Murilo Bettarello, founder of IZ Agro and agronomist. “First of all, agronomists must know each agronomical is- sue on each crop they work with. Secondly, they should be updated about digital farming solutions. Finally, they have to select which tools could be effective for their client’s results. It is not a simple matter.” Just in Brazil, there are about 400 ag start-ups, dozens of companies and multiple needs on the farms. Where big agricultural companies already dedicate whole departments to select innovative solutions, small and medium-sized producers usually depend on technical advi- sors or start-up’s support for that. “Sometimes there are simpler solutions, like IoT and some apps. Nevertheless, other inventions are more complex. Much of the software requires study, and even a technical background. I think that if producers want to, they can learn with techni- cal support. Anyway, there are few digital farming consultants”, Mr Bettarello points out.


Step by step Usually, digital solutions work with data inputs (manual, sensors or cameras) that are pro- cessed by software to deliver clear recommen- dations about planting, inputs purchase,


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The agricultural sector is experiencing a learning process in order to adopt innovative tools in Brazil. Knowledge and skills are demanded of agronomists, beyond digital techniques. They include a new mind set, personal relations and empathy.


plagues and disease management, and also optimising harvests. According to Raphael Ivan, CEO of EAgro, agronomists and start-ups might share information about how those solutions work and support farmers learning processes. EAgro is a managing platform that helps growers in each phase of soy, maize, cof- fee, sugar cane and fruits production. Their model includes a learning process about how to use its functionalities. The introduction pro- cess covers four phases: diagnosis (specific for each farm), implementation (training, data registration regarding machinery, financial topics, staff, etc), using it, and monitoring (for skill development within the platform). “EAgro was created by farmers for farmers. The role of the agronomist is essential, because he is closer to the farmer’s reality. He is the link


between technology and the producer”, Ivan considers. For example, EAgro provides solu- tions for four activities inside farms. In the case of the purchase of agricultural inputs, farmer and agronomist have at their disposal the complete history regarding stock, prices and average application about seeds, fertiliser, agrochemicals and machinery maintenance. “Our solutions also track the crop’s perfor- mance. Monitoring is done by field agents who input data regarding several indexes of plants’ development. Like plant mass in rela- tion to crop age, plague infestations and oth- ers. Thus, they can check how everything is going according historical patterns in each field”, Ivan explains. About trade aspects: farmers can better esti- mate opportunities to sell their products


Professor Molin, president of the Brazilian Precision Agriculture Association, describes how universities are struggling to educate fast enough on the digital farming revolution.


▶ FUTURE FARMING | 27 August 2019


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