VEGA wins recognition from AgTech Garage for sustainable innovations in agribusiness

The development of agtechs and the use of advanced technologies in the field is extremely important to boost the productivity and profitability of rural producers and agribusinesses. With this in mind, Grupo Imagem, which has more than 35 years of pioneering and leadership in the IT and Geotechnology segment, announced the entry of the VEGA unit into its structure in order to evolve its operations in the agricultural segment. VEGA is an agtech that was created in 2018 with the aim of monitoring agricultural production, attesting to the sustainability of practices in the agribusiness production chain.

Among the services offered by the company are agroclimatic monitoring, origin traceability, socio-environmental diagnosis, territorial intelligence and environmental asset management focused on carbon credit and PSA to accelerate the Sustainable Development of Agribusiness. For this purpose, the LYRA platform was developed, which supports business processes, risk assessment and analysis of the evolution of operations in the territories, in a digital environment served by a broad database and analytical intelligence.

When building an integrated view of the territory in which the rural property is located, considering socio-environmental, climatic and agricultural aspects, the perspective was adopted that the production unit has agricultural crops and environmental services that consider a sustainable operation. “We understand that an agricultural production unit produces goods that will feed people, but also provides environmental services that will provide balance for the planet”, says Eneas Brum, President of the Board of Directors of Grupo Imagem. The purpose of the business is to contribute to this situation in which both pillars support each other and, with the advancement of technology, they must be used in production processes around the world.

Projections

Today, VEGA has already carried out around 3,1 million socio-environmental compliance analyzes and the monitoring of 48 million hectares in productive areas and forests. It serves everything from trading companies, agrochemicals, cooperatives, industry, retail to banks and insurance companies. According to Luis Eduardo Brunelli dos Santos, Head of Business Strategy, the agtech intends to have more than 300 customers in its portfolio by 2024. It currently has almost 30, including leaders in their respective markets. “Our perspective in the coming years is to capitalize on this market and further penetrate the main agribusiness accounts, such as agrochemicals, financial institutions and trading companies, bringing technology to small and medium-sized companies through LYRA”, he says.

Recognition

VEGA stood out in the Intensive Connection Latam program, promoted by AgTech Garage - one of the main innovation hubs for agribusiness worldwide. With more than 200 registrations, the program consists of promoting partnerships for seven months with big names linked to the sector to create businesses and agreements that result in the joint development of new technologies and investments. On that occasion, among the more than 200 registrants, 13 companies and startups were selected as winners of the 4th edition. VEGA was selected as winner in more than one category, this happened for the first time in the history of this program.

“For VEGA, it is important to participate in this event as it generates connections with startups and other companies. Our objective is to foster ideas and bring innovations for the sustainability and growth of national agribusiness”, explains Luis. Among the companies that chose to join VEGA in the program are the cooperative financial institution Sicredi and Ceva, a French company focused on animal health. The objective is to develop technologies for diagnosing small producers' potential in generating carbon credits and accessing Payments for Environmental Services (PSA) and seeking new ways to retain customers focused on animal welfare, environment and management.

Therefore, agtech stood out among those registered for using analytical intelligence to help companies make decisions, promoting the sustainable development of their businesses. Many companies are unaware that they can use technology to carry out good environmental preservation and protection practices without affecting their profits. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness and support sustainable policies in agricultural production, which depend on assertive decisions throughout the agribusiness chain.