The challenges and opportunities of technological integration in agriculture

For a large portion of the world's population, especially among groups that are part of the agricultural production chain, there is no doubt that research, development and use of technological products and tools are increasingly fundamental, not only for the expansion of productivity, but also to meet simultaneous demands, linked to the rational and renewable use of natural resources. Considering this scenario, there are challenges that Brazilian farmers need to face to guarantee the competitiveness of their products.

Today, we can collect accurate and assertive microclimate data through modern meteorological stations, reduce drift in aerial spraying through equipment that directs the application and protects it from wind action, or even monitoring systems for agricultural machinery. The main issue linked to the use of these devices is the search for the necessary infrastructure to associate all these data sources and promote an integrated operation between them, generating not only solid data, but valuable information for the farmer.

For the future of agriculture, there is a clear direction that this information, integrated into a single platform, not only provides data in isolation, but also offers guidance and solutions for the farmer, taking into account the situation of their crops. In this way, technology gradually loses its secondary aspects of supporting the farmer and becomes decisive for the decision-making in the field.

Even though this trend scenario is essential to understand the productive dynamics of the field, we cannot leave aside the human element throughout the entire process. The assertiveness and precision of algorithms and information systems do not have the function of replacing, but rather of connecting with the conscious, sensitive and primordial aspects of the work of agricultural engineers, who recommend the best practices according to their knowledge and expertise.

It is up to all of us, professionals, enthusiasts and transforming agents in agribusiness, to monitor, with care and attention, the flow of these transformations in the market and remain aware that, just as agrodigital services must be integrated with each other, rural workers must also be integrated into the technological universe, so that it is viable/possible to envision agribusiness in a prosperous, dynamic and responsible way in all spheres of understanding.