By Valdir Pavan, electrical engineer and CEO of Sencer, a company focused on agribusiness with a focus on monitoring soil moisture for precision agriculture
Many companies, from different segments, had to reduce their expenditures for research and development (R&D). For this reason, continuing to advance in the field of innovations has been a challenge for many, especially in a time of recession aggravated by high interest rates and reduced demand.
Among so many segments that were affected by the crisis, there are those that are surviving the storm, such as agribusiness, for example. This, regardless of the mood of the market, needs to continue advancing in the field of knowledge and technology, so that its growth remains sustainable.
Without investing in research and development, it is not feasible to continue with innovations and present the best forms of cultivation, care for the soil, management and, especially, irrigation - which is the focus of Sencer. Our purpose is to present progress and improve the application that allows to reduce the expenditure on water and light. To give you an idea, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about 70% of all water resources consumed in the world is used in irrigation of crops.
Precision agriculture was consolidated in order to change this reality, reducing this index. This decrease can also be translated into less spending on fertilizers, energy, a decrease in fines for excessive water expenditure. And in order to achieve and maintain this goal, Sencer will have nearly R $ 1 million, until 2017, in the R&D sector.
The solution also eliminates the need for operators or maintenance and exchanges, since the entire process can be followed via the internet. The information collected is sent to an online platform allowing the producer to access it via cell phone or tablet. Thus, it is possible to make decisions related to irrigation management in a safe and effective way.
The system is integrated with available climatic data, such as weather forecast, rainfall, air temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction allowing an advanced analysis of the soil and planting based on historical, trends and statistics, and all this, with less than a minimum wage.
With all these items revised, the producer is able to resize expenses and invest, with more peace of mind, in specialized labor, in research and improvements. Where will it impact all of this? In everyone's health!
Not taking into account some parameters, may compromise the quality of the soil leading to physical, chemical and biological degradation affecting the productive potential. Every farmer knows that the success of his production depends on a series of specific care and preparations. Care encompasses a set of practices that, if used correctly, can make the difference between profit or countless losses
To take this new vision of agricultural production, Sencer will have more than 400 thousand reais in support, training and dissemination material, to reach the mark of more than 200 farms served, with more than 10 representatives scattered in the large production centers .
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