Only 23% of Brazilian agricultural space has some level of internet coverage and, even so, Brazil has consolidated itself as an agri-environmental power on the world stage. With lighting in rural areas still without connectivity, Brazil will undergo a major transformation in the way it produces in the field and will create new paradigms for the sector. This is demonstrated by a study released this Wednesday (19/05) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), which will guide unprecedented actions to expand rural connectivity using broadband internet technologies such as the satellite model, cable optical fiber and telecom, which includes the new 5G generation.
“Our rural producers demand technology and are able to continue receiving more innovation. Connectivity promotes technological advancement in the field. And it also promotes a real rapprochement between rural areas and large urban centers”, declared minister Tereza Cristina, in a virtual ceremony announcing Mapa’s actions. She also highlighted that increased connectivity will be a great stimulus for keeping young people in the field.
Developed by the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq/USP), the study “Connectivity Scenarios and Perspectives for Agriculture” presents scenarios for internet coverage in the telecom model (2G, 3G, 4G signal) on a horizon until the year 2026.
In a first scenario, the transmission capacity of 4.400 existing towers in Brazil would be used. This would allow the current coverage to be increased from 23% in rural areas to 48% of signal lighting in the national agricultural territory, providing an increase of 4,5% in the Gross Production Value (VBP). A second scenario involves the installation of 15.182 new towers, which would be sufficient to supply a final coverage of 90% of the connectivity demand in the field and result in an increase of 9,6% in VPB.
With the projected VPB of R$1,057 trillion, currently, rural connectivity through the telecom model would contribute to an increase of R$47,56 billion and R$101,47 billion for the first and second scenarios, respectively.
According to the Deputy Secretary of Innovation, Rural Development and Irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fernando Camargo, ensuring connectivity in strictly rural areas will enable, in addition to greater productivity and generation of wealth in the countryside, the dissemination of knowledge through the provision technical assistance and online training, especially for small and medium-sized producers. It is also an opportunity to keep young people in the field by increasingly providing quality access to Ater 5.0, an educational modality that is growing in the country.
To reach rural schools and distant communities, connectivity will be provided through the geostationary satellite model. In partnership with the Ministry of Communications, in the first phase, 156 communities and rural settlements distributed across 134 municipalities in 10 states will be connected, primarily in the North and Northeast regions.
To date, 51 connectivity points have already been installed in settlements in the states of Alagoas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Paraíba and Sergipe, taking into account aspects of population density and human development index (HDI).
Although there is a myth that satellite internet is outdated, satellite technology allows broadband data communication from a band dedicated to this transmission with high speed and quality to remote and difficult to access locations. This is the case in the Amazon region, where fiber optic cable and antennas are not available or their viability is remote.
As an alternative to the internalization of broadband in the country, another connectivity model is presented as an option by Mapa. They are called white spaces or idle spaces, which are available in the broadcasting spectrum and could be occupied by internet network operating companies.
The deputy secretary of Innovation, Rural Development and Irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cléber Soares, clarifies that this connection allows low frequency data traffic, serving “basic” communication such as text and voice messages through applications and social media. “This could be the need of a small farmer in the interior of the country, for example. The ministry is agnostic to the connectivity model. Our role is to promote, encourage and make technology available to rural producers. He will decide which one to use.”
The technology, however, still depends on regulation by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), which put the topic up for public consultation in May 2020.
In another scenario, in which digital agriculture is already a reality, the use of the internet of things requires a 5G internet signal to connect things (mainly objects) and biological organisms such as plants and animals. Sensors thus allow the capture of information on soil components, plant components and animal performance. The captured data is processed on platforms and systems, supporting the producer in decision-making within the gate, in the production system; and outside of it, when production goes to retail, processing, industry, distribution, to the consumer's table.
To begin to be used in Brazil, 5G technology awaits the auction of the new generation of internet, scheduled for the second half of this year. Meanwhile, 20 pilot projects will be implemented by the Ministry of Communications, seven of them in rural areas. The first has already been inaugurated in Rondonópolis (MT), on the 11th. The remaining installations are planned for the following locations: Padef (DF), Londrina (PR), Uberaba (MG), Ponta Porã (MS), Rio Verde ( GO), Petrolina (PE), Bebedouro (SP).
“We have a great synergy for working together. For a long time, agriculture operated vigorously with little technology. With the arrival of 5G we will be able to truly showcase the power of agriculture. We need to implement this technology to universalize mobile coverage in rural areas”, celebrated the Minister of Communications, Fábio Faria.
Mapa secretary Cléber Soares explains that, even before the 5G signal, companies that will participate in the auction must guarantee, in return, 4G connectivity for locations with up to 600 inhabitants and on the country's main highways, where production flows. agriculture. “Connectivity is the primary infrastructure element for digital agriculture. These communities are essentially rural and will receive a signal to increase their production.”
Connectivity via fiber optics can also serve rural regions as long as they are close to the urban perimeter, as it depends on cabling for the internet connection. The model is considered high performance and is immune to interference and signal failures.
To implement some connectivity infrastructures, Mapa will work in partnership with government entities to provide credit lines with resources from the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (FUST), of which it will participate in the management committee, still pending regulation. via decree.
Connectivity is just the infrastructure for the internet to reach rural communities. From this paved path, other layers such as applications and digital services will be the lever for digital agriculture. Thus, the development of internet of things platforms and programs in the field; the integration of databases and data platforms to provide strategic panels; the development of digital marketplaces among other applications become fundamental for the segment.
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