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According to data released by the IBGE – Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Brazil's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2014 did not show the expected growth percentage. However, the agricultural sector had a positive performance, with an advance of 0.4% compared to 2013. At the same time, analysts point to the risk of a decline in the price of commodities agricultural products in the international market, which would affect this performance. The same experts say that, in order to avoid this situation, agricultural producers need to improve their economies of scale and promote increased productivity. To achieve these goals, the use of new technologies is a great ally of the sector.
On this topic, the ABES portal interviewed José Bueno, Regional Sales Manager at Trimble, an associate of the entity. The company offers cutting-edge technological solutions for different economic sectors, including agriculture, transport and logistics. Check out:
Mr. Could you tell us about Trimble's performance in the Brazilian agricultural sector?
The company has brought to the country technologies that allow precise control over the most varied operations, including those in the agricultural activity. The company is a leader in products such as autopilot, mainly in the sugar and ethanol sector, in addition to integrating a vast range of positioning technologies, including GPS, laser, optics and inertial with software, applications, wireless communication and services for customers to collect, manage and analyze complex information more quickly and easily, making your activities more productive, efficient and profitable. We allow the producer to transform his farm into an industry, creating processes and automating operations and machines.
Which technologies are the most sought after by entrepreneurs in the agribusiness segment in Brazil?
Currently, the sector is implementing what we call Precision Agriculture, which involves the management of information, obtained more accurately through the use of different technologies, such as GPS (global position system), laser land leveling, use of GNSS (global navigation satellite system), development of applications for data collection GIS (geographic information system), among other solutions and portable equipment, with wireless communication and shock resistant. In terms of sales, the company's flagships in Brazil are the autopilot systems, which can be installed in machines for fertilizing, spraying, harvesting, among other stages of farming.
What are the challenges facing the growth of the agribusiness sector in Brazil?
Brazil is still a typically agricultural country, with production primarily for export. But, even if it has efficiency in the field, the Brazilian producer has higher logistics costs for harvesting the crops, which affect profitability and competitiveness. Therefore, the farmer needs to be very efficient from the gate inwards, using technologies to produce more and better. For example, soil quality assessment via GPS allows controlling the amount of fertilizers and seeds to be used, in the correct places and in the amounts required in each area, saving time and material. The improvement of agricultural management is sought, and the expansion of cellular telephony has contributed to this, allowing the connectivity of the farm in real time.
What are the latest technological advances that can be used in agriculture?
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), popularly known as Drone, and 3D printing are some of the new technologies that are coming to the field. When flying over the plantations, the drones capture images that, together with software, make it possible to evaluate the plantation, monitor the development of the crop, measure the areas, among other uses. We know, however, that it is still necessary to regulate its use. 3D printing also has several applications, such as generating a 3D plant of the area to be cultivated, with high definition topographical information. The ideal is to move towards the union of technological innovations in image, position and printing. Even new autopilot models are under study, so that we have the tractor without an operator. I believe that in about 5-7 years this technology could be a reality. It turns out that obstacles on the ground are still unpredictable, such as the appearance of animals or a tree branch.
What are the profiles of Trimble's customers in the agricultural segment?
The company serves from small producers to large companies in the agribusiness market, such as Raízen, the agricultural arm of the Shell group. We also have partnerships with New Holland, manufacturer of implements such as harvesters, and with Geo Agri Tecnologia Agrícola, a pioneer in the commercialization of solutions for precision agriculture in Brazil, as well as other distributors.
What are Trimble's goals in Brazil for the coming years?
Our goal is to continue growing, at a rate of 20% per year, and expand our presence in the regions. But, of course, we depend on the Brazilian economic situation. Trimble has a strong presence in São Paulo, with sugarcane mills, which bet on technologies to reduce costs. Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Goiás are other states in which we stand out.
On this topic, the ABES portal interviewed José Bueno, Regional Sales Manager at Trimble, an associate of the entity. The company offers cutting-edge technological solutions for different economic sectors, including agriculture, transport and logistics. Check out:
Mr. Could you tell us about Trimble's performance in the Brazilian agricultural sector?
The company has brought to the country technologies that allow precise control over the most varied operations, including those in the agricultural activity. The company is a leader in products such as autopilot, mainly in the sugar and ethanol sector, in addition to integrating a vast range of positioning technologies, including GPS, laser, optics and inertial with software, applications, wireless communication and services for customers to collect, manage and analyze complex information more quickly and easily, making your activities more productive, efficient and profitable. We allow the producer to transform his farm into an industry, creating processes and automating operations and machines.
Which technologies are the most sought after by entrepreneurs in the agribusiness segment in Brazil?
Currently, the sector is implementing what we call Precision Agriculture, which involves the management of information, obtained more accurately through the use of different technologies, such as GPS (global position system), laser land leveling, use of GNSS (global navigation satellite system), development of applications for data collection GIS (geographic information system), among other solutions and portable equipment, with wireless communication and shock resistant. In terms of sales, the company's flagships in Brazil are the autopilot systems, which can be installed in machines for fertilizing, spraying, harvesting, among other stages of farming.
What are the challenges facing the growth of the agribusiness sector in Brazil?
Brazil is still a typically agricultural country, with production primarily for export. But, even if it has efficiency in the field, the Brazilian producer has higher logistics costs for harvesting the crops, which affect profitability and competitiveness. Therefore, the farmer needs to be very efficient from the gate inwards, using technologies to produce more and better. For example, soil quality assessment via GPS allows controlling the amount of fertilizers and seeds to be used, in the correct places and in the amounts required in each area, saving time and material. The improvement of agricultural management is sought, and the expansion of cellular telephony has contributed to this, allowing the connectivity of the farm in real time.
What are the latest technological advances that can be used in agriculture?
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), popularly known as Drone, and 3D printing are some of the new technologies that are coming to the field. When flying over the plantations, the drones capture images that, together with software, make it possible to evaluate the plantation, monitor the development of the crop, measure the areas, among other uses. We know, however, that it is still necessary to regulate its use. 3D printing also has several applications, such as generating a 3D plant of the area to be cultivated, with high definition topographical information. The ideal is to move towards the union of technological innovations in image, position and printing. Even new autopilot models are under study, so that we have the tractor without an operator. I believe that in about 5-7 years this technology could be a reality. It turns out that obstacles on the ground are still unpredictable, such as the appearance of animals or a tree branch.
What are the profiles of Trimble's customers in the agricultural segment?
The company serves from small producers to large companies in the agribusiness market, such as Raízen, the agricultural arm of the Shell group. We also have partnerships with New Holland, manufacturer of implements such as harvesters, and with Geo Agri Tecnologia Agrícola, a pioneer in the commercialization of solutions for precision agriculture in Brazil, as well as other distributors.
What are Trimble's goals in Brazil for the coming years?
Our goal is to continue growing, at a rate of 20% per year, and expand our presence in the regions. But, of course, we depend on the Brazilian economic situation. Trimble has a strong presence in São Paulo, with sugarcane mills, which bet on technologies to reduce costs. Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Goiás are other states in which we stand out.
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