Artificial intelligence is a solution for the 4.0 management of sugarcane fields in Brazil

Brazil has the largest sugarcane production in the world, reaching more than 746 million tons annually, estimated at around R$52 billion, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). To maintain the volume and economic importance of these plantations – generating jobs, high-quality products and agricultural sustainability – the use of technologies has become increasingly essential. In this sense, artificial intelligence has emerged as an important ally for producers.

Starting this month, the Brazilian market is receiving the most modern technology in the world for aerial phytosanitary management of sugarcane fields. Three aircraft were equipped with a device that captures very high precision images, at a resolution of 0,3 mm/pixel, and can cover up to 5 thousand hectares per day, at a speed of 200 km/h. These images are powerful to the point that, in just one flyover, they can identify problems from the top of the plants to the ground level.

This project, called FlyUP, is implemented exclusively by UPL, one of the five largest agricultural solutions companies in the world, which has increasingly focused on digital innovations for the so-called Agriculture 4.0. The action is one of the pillars of the US$ 200 million investment that the Indian company will make in Brazil over the next few years, aiming to contribute to constant development and high productivity in national agribusiness.

From the overflight equipped with the artificial intelligence device, producers will receive information and insights about the crop immediately, identifying the first signs of the emergence of weeds, fungal diseases and even nutritional deficiencies, considering that these are constant problems in sugarcane fields across the country, ensuring the success of the third most important crop in the country, together with the sugar-energy and sugar-alcohol sectors.

The impact of pests and diseases on sugarcane fields is quite high, given the large investment made by farmers in combating these problems. In the first half of this year alone, 41 million hectares of sugarcane were treated with pesticides. As a result, around US$785 million was invested in these solutions, avoiding interruptions in production – something that could eventually increase the price of derivatives to consumers. The data are from the National Union of the Plant Defense Products Industry (Sindiveg).

The FlyUP project is the evolution of crop mapping projects. With dynamic, agile and precise analyzes (always validated by a scientific researcher), the detailing of phytosanitary problems and the management of information in real time allow for faster and more assertive decision-making, aiming to rationalize and solve problems through use. of agricultural pesticides with economic and environmental sustainability.

Based on the flight and the crossing of specialized information, artificial intelligence offers very high precision and issues reports on field conditions, indicating the type of threat, as well as the species and infestation, as well as elements that help in choosing the most suitable treatment. adequate. This exclusive technology is part of the essence of UPL through the OpenAg concept – a company open to innovative agriculture. No limits, no borders.