The agribusiness in Brazil
Brazil is especially privileged in terms of territorial extension and soil fertility. Considering this, it is not surprising that the country stands out in the production of soy, coffee, orange juice, beef and chicken. Maintaining this position in the international market, however, demands increasing investments in technology. This is where the BIG DATA of Brazilian agribusiness comes into play.
After all, ensuring the quality of food is only one of the demands to be met. It is also necessary to follow environmental standards, animal welfare and at the same time reduce waste. Since the field generates more and more information, through equipment, software and satellites, we can take advantage of them strategically.
The process that leads us to agro 4.0 will directly impact productivity. In other words, connectivity between autonomous machines and management systems in everyday agribusiness will be a driver. And this path will be paving not only with the help of Big Data (BD), but also the Internet of Things (IoT).
Considering all this panorama, it is then questioned how these technologies and knowledge have been applied in the country. Precision farming is today the best example of how we are using Big Data. Before continuing, however, it is important to clarify better what the BD is and what its function is.
Better clarifying what Big Data is
Many people see Big Data only as a large volume of data circulating in the digital environment. It turns out that this is not an exact description of the concept. Although it actually involves large-scale informational production, it also implies in its analysis. That is, what we can extract in terms of relevant information.
Therefore, we approach here how to capture data whose interpretation offers competitive advantages. Whether by influencing decision-making processes, the productive impact caused or by collaborating in cost reduction. To understand the BIG DATA of Brazilian agribusiness, we must also remember that data today transits in the cloud.
Thanks to this, they can be consulted in the field, at the farm headquarters and even remotely. The machines transmit in real time, crop information combining telemetry and mobile Internet. It means that in practice BD serves the purposes of traceability, prediction and management of production systems.
BIG DATA in Brazilian agribusiness: Anchoring precision agriculture
BIG DATA of Brazilian agribusiness served to boost precision agriculture. After all, all automated processes that rely on information technology involve the exchange of data. In the particular case of the field, it is raw data, therefore, unstructured.
In-depth analysis tools translate all this into relevant information. This is how a producer can accurately measure how much input will be applied to his plantation. This response can take into account factors such as climate variation and soil-specific data.
As the volume of data handled with BD is high but qualified, the accuracy of the recommendations is high. And the same can be said of any soil diagnostics, machinery, defensive, inputs and so on. Consequently, we can reduce production costs and avoid contamination by pesticides, producing more and better.
Coupled with telemetry, for example, this technology allows you to evaluate equipment performance, speed and wear. At the same time, feedback can be given to the operator to make the necessary adjustments or for maintenance. The fact is that BD gives very specific suggestions to producers.
Benefits and opportunities of using Big Data in the industry
In order for Big Data to show its full potential, sensors are installed along the properties. Algorithms are also developed that extract the relevant information for the producer. What this offers in practice is a better use of each hectare and culture.
It should be noted that the database created from production is useful for companies and producers of all sizes. An already fairly common feature, even in small businesses, is drone monitoring.
They transmit aerial images in real time, improving crop control. The BIG DATA of Brazilian agribusiness is also able to gather information on fertility and soil moisture. Other measurable details are temperature, precipitation and wind speed.
It is interesting to note that all this technological support helps to strengthen sustainable practices. According to the United Nations (UN), Brazil uses more than 72% of its water in agriculture. Therefore, it takes a lot of attention when it comes to environmental care if we are to achieve compliance.
Reducing the pressure on the environment and waste is one of the benefits of adopting BD in the field. Assessing moisture, for example, we know when there is a real need for water. And as we said throughout this article, metrics and indicators help make the best decisions for planting.
Blockchain and decommodization of agribusiness
With the prospect of working with raw data, there is also great potential for Blockchain adoption in the industry. Known as "trust protocol", this distributed ledger tool is already adopted even in the financial market. In the agro context, we can work with a public place where we insert the management data.
The concept thus described can be worked in livestock. Especially when there are several agents dealing with the different stages of animal husbandry. With Blockchain, we can share veterinary information along the production chain. This represents greater control over the product that reaches the tray.
Because the producer will know the amount of residual hormone and the type of management that was done in the creation. This is how the BIGDATA of Brazilian agribusiness can generate the process of decommoditization. Soon, the product that arrives at the final tip will bring an added value that differentiates it from similar ones.
Another benefit of Blockchain, is that it eliminates the need for audits, since the information is registered in the public database. Closing our examples, there is the harvest forecast. We can not only evaluate the crops that will show better results at the moment, but also identify those that are in greater demand in the market.
What can Brazilian agribusiness offer to the world?
By adopting Big Data and other technologies, Brazil can take a leading role in global agricultural expansion. Studies show that we can contribute 40% to the increase in world production by 2050. Remember that by then the planet will need to feed more than 9 billion people! Without the BIG DATA of Brazilian agribusiness will be difficult to achieve this goal.
What we need to absorb from all this, is that the agents of the field should no longer produce only meat and different cultures, but also data. This is what will be the great competitive advantage of rural companies in the near future.
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