2023 Trends In Precision Agriculture For Latin America
On March 30, 2023, EOS Data Analytics, a global provider of AI-powered satellite imagery analytics, along with its partners FONCOSPA, Agribest México, and Synergy Agroinsumos, held a free webinar dedicated to the modern trends in precision agriculture and their application in satellite monitoring tools in Latin America.
The webinar concentrated on contemporary precision agriculture methods in the utilization of sensors, soil treatment, and agri-insurances, along with the factors impacting these tendencies.
To access the presentation (in Spanish), follow the link.
Various agriculture-oriented businesses and organizations, environmentalists, and green enthusiasts interested in precision agriculture attended this online event.
The following speakers had been presenting during the webinar:
- Dmytro Svyrydenko, Account Executive at EOS Data Analytics
- Gabriel Puertos Mendoza, Field Technician at FONCOSPA
- Manelick Alejandro Malagon Martinez, Agricultural Monitoring Center Coordinator at AgriBest México
- Carlos Villegas, CEO and Co-founder at Synergy Agroinsumos
Dmytro Svyrydenko was the first to take the word and explain the importance and benefits of AgTech in general and precision agriculture in particular.
AI-powered satellite imagery analytics are revolutionizing precision agriculture in Latin America, equipping farmers with the tools to meet the rising nutritional needs of our growing population, optimize resource utilization, and produce healthier food at a reduced cost.
Increased focus on sustainability and performance monitoring was also named as a trend fueling precision agriculture practices.
Then, Manelick Alejandro Malagon Martinez from AgriBest México took the stage to talk about soil profiling and treatment. He named soil degradation, poor nutrition, the negative impact caused by animals, and human malnutrition as the main factors that negatively affect natural ecosystems and soils.
One way to fix this problem is by using probiotics and prebiotics. In one presented case, soil analysis provided sufficient information to make a decision on which stimulants are best to apply for root stimulation, nutrient assimilation, microorganism incorporation, and microelement deficiency correction. Then, the analysis of such indices as NDVI, NDRE, and NDMI was performed to find the best time and precise amount of stimulants to apply in various areas.
Carlos Villegas, CEO and co-founder at Synergy Agroinsumos, dedicated his speech to handheld devices that take soil readings and transmit that data to a mobile app via Bluetooth. The devices produced by his company reveal if the crops are ready for harvesting, detect if there are any problem areas, define plant density, report cold and water stress, as well as help monitor fertilization processes.
The goal of the company is to empower farmers to practice precision agriculture by providing real-time, accurate data on soil conditions and crop health, enabling them to make informed decisions for optimal crop management and resource allocation.
Lastly, Gabriela Puertos Mendoza, field technician at Foncospa, explained the insurance schemes in the Mexican Republic. She reported that almost 100,000 producers in the country are already insured from droughts, excess moisture, frost, crop diseases, and other risk factors affecting the yields.
With the use of satellite data analytics provided by EOSDA, Foncospa was able to increase the speed of the company’s insurance-related processes, as well as reduce the insurance cost for the clients, and start monitoring insured properties in near real-time. Gabriela Puertos Mendoza explained in detail what the decision-making process in her company looks like now and named the company’s future objectives.
Capitalizing on groundbreaking technologies like artificial intelligence and high-resolution remote sensing, EOS Data Analytics aims to position satellite technologies at the forefront of modern agriculture, ultimately driving our planet toward food sustainability. By championing precision agriculture methods, which are only achievable through the constant availability of field data for smarter decision-making, the company strives to inspire agribusinesses to embrace change and create a thriving, sustainable future for all.