Sindag wants to support projects to minimize drift in the aerial application of pesticides

The new president of the National Union of Agricultural Aviation Companies (Sindag), Thiago Magalhães Silva, met this Thursday, July 11th, in Brasília-DF, with the president of Embrapa, Sebastião Barbosa. The objective of the meeting was to discuss new research demands and partnerships to continue ongoing projects and the Company's participation in the Brazilian Agricultural Aviation Congress 2019, which will be held at the end of the month in Sertãozinho-SP - the event is already considered the largest in the world in this area.

Thiago, who recently assumed the presidency of Sindag, praised the results already achieved with the project Development of aerial application of agrochemicals as a strategy for controlling agricultural pests of national interest, led by researcher Paulo Cruvinel, from Embrapa Instrumentação (São Carlos-SP) and highlighted that the sector greatly needs the Company's action in generating new knowledge and new technological solutions related to the application of pesticides.

"We want to support broader projects, which better consolidate a national research network and which have continuity in Embrapa's programming", explained Magalhães, making himself available to coordinate and bring major partners from the private sector to the new actions that have been carried out. Embrapa has had a technical cooperation agreement with Sindag since 2008, which was renewed two years ago.

The Union's research demands were focused on three priorities: innovation solutions for drift minimization (deviation of an aircraft's route caused by winds or currents); solutions for controlling main pests for cotton, rice, corn and soybean crops; and innovation projects in metrology and control processes for agricultural pesticide application equipment (chemical or biodefensive) for pest control, aiming to increase quality.

"These demands are all related to security aspects, which are clearly of interest and meet the priorities of our programming and operations", explained Sebastião Barbosa, highlighting that pesticides and bioinsecticides are essential inputs for Brazilian agriculture, but they need to be used in a rational and safe way. He indicated that Sindag leaders should directly contact the heads of Embrapa Instrumentação and Embrapa Meio Ambiente, in addition to Embrapa Clima Temperado, with which the Union also has direct involvement, to begin negotiations on new partnerships.

Thiago also requested collaboration from Embrapa to create normative instructions for the use of pesticides and bioinsecticides using drones.

Click here to access photos of the meeting with Sindag.