How planning planting brings more assertive investments to production

Ensuring greater productivity with reduced costs is what every company aims for. Within agribusiness, technological innovations have made agricultural efficiency higher and investments more assertive. With prior planting planning, before starting production, it is possible to calculate input costs and machine operating time, and their impact on labor costs. Understanding the variables and predicting scenarios allows for appropriate and timely adaptation for a more effective production environment.

In Hexagon's Planning & Optimization solution, we have the HxGN AgrOn Planting Planning, which optimizes the renovation and planting strategy to achieve long-term goals. Using historical data in conjunction with the configuration of operational criteria and restrictions, it is possible to better diagnose the needs and qualities of the area to be planted. The system analyzes production areas, selects which ones should be renovated each harvest, and indicates the ideal varieties for planting, thus generating a greater return for the producer. It means knowing, more precisely, what to plant, how much, when and where. 

Another reason why planning is important is the reduction of costs and excesses in subsequent processes. The constraint programming algorithm tests all possible solutions and finds the one that optimizes the total result given the informed criteria and capabilities, calculating the necessary inputs, resources and areas, in addition to recommending the ideal renovation and planting strategy with the lowest costs. This allows a new look at possible opportunities for better use of the cultivation area.

In the first planning stage, in which criteria and restrictions are defined, it is possible to stipulate the formation and management of seedlings, adapt the soil for what will be planted, calculate productivity curves and adapt the capacity for reform and planting. This form of planning allows you to consider or even simulate unforeseen events or challenges that may arise during the execution of activities in the field. 

In addition to anticipating these possible obstacles, generating this optimized planning makes it possible to correct errors made in previous harvests. Knowing the history of the area before starting a new cycle will avoid unnecessary costs and help with diagnosis to prepare the company's stock and cash. .

By Bernardo de Castro, president of Hexagon's Agriculture division