Technological opportunities stand out amid climate challenges and credit shortages in the 2024-25 Harvest
By Robson Rizzon, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Orbia and rural producer
In today’s scenario, where efficiency and productivity are key to success in agriculture, it is crucial to be well prepared when it comes to agricultural mechanization. However, many farmers face a gap when looking for specific training in this area.
Although there are courses available for tractor drivers, tractor mechanics, agricultural machinery operators, among others, for training operational workforce, there is a lack of programs dedicated exclusively to the management of agricultural mechanization.
Rural properties are being equipped with increasingly sophisticated and expensive machinery, and planning for their use is becoming less than ideal, which is causing losses because we have to analyze a farm as a company, where its processes must be well defined and managed in order to maximize all available resources. For example, if we have a tractor-implement set that is not in its best working condition, with inadequate ballast, the waste of diesel can reach the order of up to 15%, in other words, the farmer is throwing money away.
What has been observed in the field is a lack of preparation for managing equipment. The service is given in a summarized manner, the machine operators are given the task, “go there and pass the harrow in that area”, so as not to detail the operating instructions in more detail, such as tractor ballasting, engine speed and the appropriate gear for this operation. This attitude shows the lack of preparation of the managers, who, in many cases, do not know how this task is done and, even more seriously, do not have metrics to see if the service was performed correctly.
This lack of information from the farmer, with an operation performed incorrectly, can result in a waste of diesel that can reach 30% more than would be produced if the information were detailed to the operator and monitored by the managers. It is not only diesel that is wasted with this attitude, the useful life of the machines is also compromised, the tires wear out faster, there is an increase in corrective maintenance of the equipment, all of which translates into lower profitability of the crop.
There are articles that conclude that farmers' training, especially on small properties, has a greater gap in knowledge or study about mechanization (Albiero, Daniel 2013). Since Brazil is mostly made up of small producers, it is essential that they have this type of training, with the aim of improving the efficiency of the property and profitability. In addition to training, it would be recommended that production alternatives be presented to these properties and that the importance of proper maintenance of agricultural machinery be emphasized, thus ensuring more efficient and long-lasting use of the equipment.
With a keen eye on the needs of modern farmers, the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering at Unicamp has developed a specialized course in agricultural mechanization management, tailored to those who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in this crucial field. This course not only covers the technical aspects of agricultural machinery, but also focuses on effective operating techniques, optimization of machine performance and occupational safety practices, as well as the fundamental principles for advanced management of agricultural tractors, soil preparation machines, seeders, fertilizer spreaders, mastering the principles of stress distribution and soil reactions. The idea of the course is also to teach the producer how to optimize tire and wheel performance, manage soil compaction and maximize the efficiency of the tractor-soil relationship.
With this, we know that the continuous training of family farmers and even large producers, through technical assistance and rural extension programs, is essential to effectively integrate theory and practice, promoting the application of theoretical knowledge in real situations and improving learning retention and efficiency in agricultural management. In addition, education and training on rural properties, which include specific modules on leadership, communication and conflict management, are crucial to develop key skills, increasing productivity and promoting a more efficient and collaborative work environment (Bittencourt et al., 2013; Fonseca & Vieira, 2015).
By participating in this course, farmers have the opportunity to not only enhance their practical skills, but also gain a deeper understanding of the principles behind agricultural mechanization. This empowers them to make more informed and strategic decisions in their operations, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced downtime and ultimately, increased profitability.
By investing in training in agricultural mechanization, farmers can reduce maintenance costs, extend the life of their machines, and ensure the safety of their teams, as they learn about best safety practices when operating agricultural machines, which can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the field, in addition to learning about technological advances in the sector. The course shows producers the latest innovations in equipment and operating techniques.
In turn, the management of agricultural mechanization has been crucial for the productivity and efficiency of agricultural operations in the field. The entire process involves the planning, acquisition, maintenance and operation of machinery and equipment used in agricultural activities. Good management of agricultural mechanization today contributes significantly to the profitability and sustainability of agricultural operations, which ensures the efficient use of resources and minimizes the environmental impacts caused.
The Agricultural Mechanization Management course at Unicamp aims to address the critical points of agricultural mechanization, provide an overview of management, provoke reflection and discussion for decision-making that can be applied to properties, enabling professionals to understand, plan and execute the complete management of agricultural mechanization, seeks to provide the necessary skills to identify and implement performance improvements in operational activities, as well as analyze different scenarios and make informed business decisions about the use of agricultural machinery and implements.
To this end, a methodology was created to serve rural producers in the most effective way possible, following the methods below:
Theoretical and Practical Approach: The course combines a solid theoretical foundation with practical, real-life examples. This allows participants not only to understand the concepts, but also to apply them in real-world situations.
Fixation Exercises: To ensure solid and lasting learning, consolidation exercises are offered throughout the course. These exercises help students to consolidate the knowledge acquired and develop practical skills.
Practical Activities: We believe that practice is essential for effective learning. Therefore, we offer hands-on activities that allow participants to directly experience the techniques and tools presented in the course.
Case studies: Case studies are an integral part of the program. They provide participants with the opportunity to analyze real-life situations faced by agricultural managers and apply the knowledge gained to find effective solutions.
The course is divided into three large blocks:
The first part covers the basics of agricultural mechanization and the use of the Moodle platform to access the content. Unit conversion, physical quantities and laws of thermodynamics are explored, focusing on engine performance and efficiency. The idea of the class is also to discuss the basic concepts of statistics and analysis of engine performance curves, analyze the different types of internal combustion engines and aspects of mechanical transmission, such as gear scaling. Finally, learn how to interpret the technical specifications found in machine catalogs. The second part will explore the following topics related to agricultural mechanization:
We will begin by discussing hydraulic transmission and its role in agricultural machinery systems. We will then cover the different types of agricultural tires, including radial and bias tires, and the importance of proper inflation pressure to maximize performance.
Traction theory will be explored to understand how drawbar forces and slippage affect operational efficiency. The suitability between tractor and implement will be analyzed, considering trailed and mounted implements, and the importance of adequate ballasting, whether with liquid or solid ballast, to optimize weight distribution, improving the performance of the unit and avoiding galloping.
Finally, the third part of the course will explore the influence of agrochemical application technology and its effectiveness and safety in agricultural operations, as well as the planning and management of mechanized systems, considering metrics such as operational yield and field capacity. It will also cover strategies to improve equipment utilization efficiency, the importance of collecting and using data to generate useful information, such as indexes and analyses, and the types of maintenance required to ensure proper equipment operation. Finally, we will present case studies of mechanized system planning, offering practical examples and valuable insights, while participants will carry out practical activities and analyze real cases to apply the concepts learned and improve their planning and management skills.
At the end of the entire course, there will be practical activities, real examples and consolidation exercises to consolidate learning.
The training of farmers as managers involves passing on scientific knowledge that will be combined with their own practice, in order to make the most of their means of production, which in this case are the equipment they own. When it comes to agricultural mechanization, the approach must be comprehensive, thorough and include many metrics, since mechanization has become a high proportion of production costs.
Based on these premises, it is concluded that it is essential to direct specific public policies to train farmers on small, medium and large properties as well, with the aim of improving their efficiency and profitability. In addition to training, it is recommended that new production alternatives be presented for these properties and that the importance of proper maintenance of agricultural machinery be emphasized, thus ensuring more efficient and long-lasting use of the equipment.
*Per Mayara Aparecida Gomes, Cezario Benedito Galvao, Daniel Albiero e Angel Pontin Garcia, from the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering/Unicamp
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By Robson Rizzon, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Orbia and rural producer
By José Roberto Salvadori (UPF and Embrapa Wheat); Alberto Luiz Marsaro Júnior (Embrapa Wheat); Crislaine Sartori Suzana-Milan (UPF); Douglas Lau (Embrapa Wheat); Eduardo Engel (Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture); Mauricio Paulo Batistella Pasini (consultant); Paulo Roberto Valle da Silva Pereira (Embrapa Forests)
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