Event demonstrates safety and efficiency of agricultural aviation

In partnership with Sindag (National Union of Agricultural Aviation Companies), Syngenta organized a Field Day for the aerial application of pesticides. Held in Goioerê (PR), the event demonstrated, in practice, that spraying by planes is safe and efficient for the productivity and sustainability of important Brazilian agricultural crops.

The meeting brought together more than 80 participants and had the support of the Rural Union of Goioerê, Aprosoja-PR (Association of soybean and corn producers in Paraná), Faep (Agriculture Federation of the State of Paraná), Alcopar (Association of Producers of Alcohol and Sugar of the State of Paraná), Sindiveg (National Union of the Plant Defense Products Industry) and the group of Agricultural Women. Businesspeople, producers, cooperatives, agribusiness entities and government representatives and technicians were able to attend lectures that demonstrated good practices in the segment, such as routines, technologies used and operational and environmental safety techniques.

Next, there was a simulation of an aerial application. Using water instead of agrochemicals, the liquid was sprayed on water-sensitive papers, which indicated the precision of the planes. “The weather conditions in which the test was carried out were unstable, and could never be present in real circumstances, but as it was just water there was no risk. Even so, the result was impressive, because the drift did not exceed 50 meters, a distance much shorter than the 250 meters required by law. With the result, we can say that a well-done aerial application is safe for the environment and the population”, explains Tiago Noronha, Public Affairs Manager at Syngenta.

Quality information 

One of the main talks of the day was by Ulisses Antuniassi, professor at Unesp (Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho) in Botucatu and coordinator of the CAS (Sustainable Aeroagricultural Certification) program. The expert highlighted that good practices in aerial application technology are based on three pillars: information management, adequate meteorological conditions and the use of drift reduction techniques (TRD). “This tripod must be based on information and data traceability; favorable weather conditions; and in techniques that reduce the risk of drift, such as the composition of the spray, flight height and deposition range”, he explains.

The event also featured a presentation of the Colmeia Viva program, which brings together 16 industries associated with Sindiveg and provides information, studies, manuals and tools that contribute to good practices and the coexistence between beekeeping and agriculture – reinforcing an important aspect to ensure sustainability in the use of technologies in the field.

According to Elisangeles Souza, Faep's Inputs Manager, Field Day is extremely important for the sector. “The event met the expected objectives. He demystified the topic by adding theoretical explanations and practical demonstration. It proved that when done correctly, the application is safe and respects current legislation", he highlighted.

Márcio Bonesi, president of Aprosoja-PR, emphasized that it is essential to bring knowledge and quality information to the chain and to society, as agricultural aviation is safe and makes important crops viable in Brazil. “Aerial spraying relies on a lot of technology. It is an important tool for the production of various inputs, such as soybeans and corn,” he explains. “Syngenta has a great advantage, which is being together with the producer. Without this partnership we would not be able to show the effectiveness of practices like this”, he adds.

Investment in sustainability 

Syngenta makes regular investments in technology and training in the field, aiming for the best working conditions and operational and environmental safety.

The initiatives are in line with the sustainability commitments made by the company. Recently, the company announced globally that it will allocate US$2 billion over the next five years to help farmers prepare and face the growing threats caused by climate change. The plan foresees at least two disruptive technological advances to the market each year.

Specifically in Brazil, Syngenta will launch Reverte, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the largest environmental conservation organization in the world. The project will help farmers and ranchers bring degraded Cerrado pastures back into cultivation, through agronomic solutions, financial tools and protocols on the use of inputs (from fertilizers and seeds to machinery and crop protection products). The objective is to increase productivity in the short term, to allow a return on investment and avoid further degradation of the biome.