Citriculture in Rio Grande do Sul implements traceability to boost productivity

Studies carried out by Embrapa Clima Temperado point to the immense potential of Rio Grande do Sul for citrus growing activities. Although industries still buy up to 50% of the fruits for processing from other states. However, to meet an increasing demand, the sector sought partnerships with Agtechs, agricultural startups specializing in technology, to develop production processes and reach new markets.

This is what BioCitrus, a traditional Brazilian company producing essential oils, is doing, which will implement a Digital Field Notebook with its producers, where agronomic information and other data will be stored, allowing the traceability of the fruits. In addition to other features that allow better management and analysis of crop productivity.

The solution was developed by the startup from Rio Grande do Sul, Elysios Agricultura Inteligente, and has already been used successfully in viticulture and horticulture. The product director and one of the founders of Elysios, Levi Trevisan, explains that the tool is available in the application and also on the computer, where it is possible to control the application of pesticides until generating a harvest volume perspective. “It is the Demetra Integrador application, which allows you to collect data in the field and transform it into information to optimize processes, in addition to reducing production costs, indicating the ideal quantity of water and inputs”, says Trevisan. 

The partnership with Bio Citrus will begin through a pilot project where 60 producers in Rio Grande do Sul will be impacted. The project aims to traceability of all production processes, where BioCitrus' technical team will be able to assist producers with greater precision . BioCitrus' environmental manager, Juliane Stefanoni Costa, highlights that the solution presented by the startup responds to market demands in recent years, mainly in relation to the concept of fruit traceability, for table or industry. “We envision that the information from the technological solution offered by Elysios will guarantee greater ease of filling out the field notebook, speed and interpretation of information, allowing better management of the rural property and the professionalization of the producer”, says the executive.

In 2019, BioCitros projects exponential growth based on projects and new technologies. Montenegro's processing industry is the main producer of essential oils in Brazil. The trend is that in the future the application will be available to the entire raw material supply chain integrated with BioCitrus. “The implementation of new technologies is a global concept and BioCitrus is also fully engaged in this concept. We hope that the BioCitrus and Elysios partnership will create a bridge between the industry, the producer and the world”, concludes Juliane. According to experts, traceability can generate more security for the production chain, in addition to helping to open up the market for the industry and the producer, as the director of Elysios recalls. “Traceability generates added value for products that can prove their origin and helps good producers to be identified and valued”, says Trevisan.