*By Angela Gheller
The corporate use of drones is becoming more and more common around the world. Companies from different sectors find in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technological and strategic allies for the development of their activities. A survey by PwC shows that, globally, the market has already reached the mark of US﹩ 127 million per year and should continue to grow. An example is the agribusiness sector which, according to the study, should expand the use of the equipment by up to 69% in the coming decades.
According to records from the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), in 2021, of the 79 thousand registered devices, only 1,492 are registered for agricultural use. The number of agricultural drones, which represents 2% of the total, still seems negligible, especially if we take into account the nearly 66 million hectares of Brazilian agriculture (data from Embrapa). However, the potential that this tool has to replace aircraft is what generates speculation for the future of agribusiness. After all, what are the advantages that these devices bring to the productivity of companies and industries?
The main benefit of using drones in the field is the possibility of generating aerial images of quality and amplitude in any planting territory and, based on the records, analyzing both the current state of the crop and any improvements to be made. With this, a series of daily activities can be not only automated, but also improved.
An example is pest control. The aerial scan provides instant information on infestations and crop health, including even the level of nutrition. The photos and videos taken with the drones bring precision on the status of the entire crop, digital 100% and in real time.
This technology counts plants, shows flaws and lines in the crop, identifies weeds and assesses the general condition of leaves and/or fruits. UAVs can even show whether the land needs more nutrients or irrigation, as well as irregularities and terrain characteristics, pointing out the most suitable locations for each type of crop.
We have known for some time that technology increases the overall productivity of work in the field, whether by automating all farming processes, by applying IoT to agricultural machines or by crossing data for decision-making, among other uses that are already consolidated. The time has come to include the drones and all their advantages in this package. It is one more path of no return, where everyone wins. Not adopting UAVs can be the difference between a successful business and obsolescence in Brazilian agribusiness.
*Angela Gheller, Director of Manufacturing, Logistics and Agroindustry at TOTVS
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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