* By Vitor Knop
Digital agriculture can revolutionize the work of rural producers. Formed by different operating systems, sensors, innovative machinery and diverse equipment, it will automate and optimize the life of those who work in the field.
However, digitalization in the field still faces difficulties in Brazil, mainly in the matter of connectivity, as access to the internet is limited in some regions of the country. If there are connection problems in urban areas, imagine in rural areas and inside the gate. This is, therefore, one of the most important obstacles - if not the greatest - that the digitalization of the sector currently faces.
According to data from the latest edition of the IoT Snapshot, a study by Logicalis that analyzes the adoption of the Internet of Things by companies from different segments in Brazil and throughout Latin America, 29% from agribusiness organizations already use IoT solutions, and 28% are transition or intend to adopt them in the next 12 months. That is, even with the lack of connectivity infrastructure, the sector seeks to advance as far as possible. However, investing in this type of technology is not enough. It is necessary to have adequate connectivity to obtain all the benefits of it.
However, this depends not only on the producer, but also on technological and economic arrangements between various organizations. Operators are expected to lead the proposals for such arrangements and to develop partnerships with public and private agents. The Government recently announced the "Câmara Agro. 4.0", an initiative created to discuss strategies for implementing connectivity and digital technologies with a focus on IoT (internet of things) in the field. The intention of the project is to encourage the acquisition of innovative technologies in the segment.
On the operators side, we can mention TIM's "4G TIM no Campo" project. The initiative aims at the adoption of connectivity in the field, promoting the digitization of processes through the connection of devices and machines to a 4G network in the 700MHz band, enabling greater network coverage in rural environments. The operator is also part of the ConectarAGRO association, which brings together important companies in the market, and has just announced a partnership with AgTech Garage, an innovation hub based in Piracicaba-SP, to promote solutions based on NB-IoT technology. Of course, Vivo, Oi and Algar also have projects in the area.
To reflect on this issue, it is necessary for the producer to understand the importance of investing in infrastructure and information technology. And this is where the challenge begins: with so many priorities in the different phases of farming and livestock, such as application of inputs, fuel consumption, irrigation and rational use of water, maintenance and exchange of equipment, sanitary and pest control, in short, the day-to-day challenges of the field from planting to harvest, from hatching to slaughter, such investments end up competing for budget with other areas of production itself.
One way to face this challenge is to seek to clearly understand the benefits that investments in infrastructure and connectivity can bring to the entire production cycle and in specific links in the agribusiness value chain. Based on this understanding and a strategic look at information technology, data science and connectivity, it will be possible to engage companies and the sector in the digital transformation. It is not just a question of money, but also of time. It is an irreversible process!
So, whoever starts in the front will start their learning curve first and get advantages. The adoption of IoT technologies and solutions, big data, data analytics (video analysis), video analytics (image analysis and facial recognition), artificial intelligence, among others, will provide valuable information on agro-industrial operations which can contribute to the increase in productivity, still support the reduction of costs and production risks.
Rural connectivity still has a long way to go. Agriculture 5.0 has been announced for some time, but we still have to overcome some barriers. Therefore, it is very important to continue promoting new technologies for the sector. After all, innovative solutions are precisely the driving force that will drive the agro 4.0 industry and, consequently, the change in infrastructure that Brazilian agribusiness is looking for and needs to become even more competitive and sustainable.
* Vitor Knop, Logicalis agribusiness consultant
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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