The Beef with Brazil

Technologies vying to answering the world’s largest food exporter’s biggest questions.

Hidden in headlines in the western media of Brazil’s farming ESG challenges is the fact that Brazil’s food production continues to grow and grow. Today Brazil is now the Top-5 producer of over 34 agricultural commodities, and in fact agriculture now represents 8% of Brazil’s gross domestic product (GDP), is the world’s largest producer of almost every major commodity, growing at 10% per year, to 222 countries, becoming de-facto China’s principal partner in producing the nutrients its population demand. Brazilian soybean production is the outstanding example, representing nearly 40% of Brazil’s total exports, and half of those traded in the world and in a recent Veja article Prof Marcos Fava Neves of Harven pointed out it also dominates trading of Orange Juice (80%), Corn (30%), Coffee (30%), Beef (23%) and Biofuels (20%).  

A sign of Agribusiness success is that Governments of both left-wing and right persuasions, who in Latin America have frequently inserted themselves into industries in negative ways, milking specific sectors for political and for personal gain, have mainly stayed out of Brazil’s agricultural industries, and the resulting unimpeded the growth, particularly in exports, has been spectacular.

Indeed, the impressive developments are often even greater than the average observer appreciates and go beyond the money; 30 million Brazilians have gone from food insecurity to relative abundance in the 2000’s, with Chicken joining beans and rice as a daily staple, and Brazil is now a food-basket for China and the Middle East.  The risks, however, are there.  Recent announcements of a slowing Chinese economy have left the agribusiness community anxious about whether the country as ready for readjusting production levels for falling demand. 

Brazil has what few other places in the world have; Plentiful sunshine, rain and relatively abundant land which genetic improvements in plants and farming practices have allowed the country to produce food where it was otherwise impossible to grow.  With these vast agricultural resources and rich biodiversity, Brazil has emerged as the global powerhouse in the agribusiness sector, comparing only to the US.

The ESG challenges of producing agricultural commodities using traditional techniques in a world where consumer demands often seem like a conveyor belt of ever-changing requirements is challenging enough.  Brazil agriculture has also pushed the boundaries of the definition of productive land, into those considered natural biomes or indigenous lands, and most recently Nestle announcement suspending purchases of meat from Brazil’s second largest producer for that reason.   The Brazilian agribusiness community often seems defensive in its positioning, and slow to react when pictures of burning tress in the Amazon appear in the western media, feeling it to be an anti-Brazil agenda and a form of protectionism of local farmers. Brazil has some great stories to tell as Harven Agribusiness School points out; 30% of fuel is renewable Ethanol from sugar cane, it is targeting 15% Biodiesel production and a country with one of the lowest carbon footprints per habitant.  It also more complex than critics allow.   Reducing deforestation of the Amazon may shift the same practices elsewhere in Brazil and the definition of the Amazon forest and how it is controlled is also build on shifting sands.  Arguing with the facts, using local Brazilian agribusiness experts, adopting ESG reporting practices and even engaging with NGOs such as Greenpeace may seem logical to Brazilian food exporters but have, in my opinion, all failed to change this narrative.

Agribusiness has responded. Sustainability initiatives are being implemented such as the significant percentage of lands using no-till farming, the advancement of integrated crop-livestock-forest systems and establishing measurement standards for carbon credit capture in tropical agriculture.

The convergence of traditional agricultural practices with cutting-edge technology is also propelling Brazil’s agribusiness sector to new heights. Brazil is by far the largest market for agritech and agribusiness in Latin America, with its startups commanding about half of the region’s market share. In 2022, Brazilian startups in this space raised $785 million across 86 deals. Today, Brazil has over 1,700 startups covering every aspect of the agribusiness supply chain.

Three main themes inform where food and farming technology is today, and what it must become.

1)      Transparency – Where and how food is produced, and with what environmental impact

2)      Labor – Replacing both manual workers and developing talent for agri-smart jobs

3)      Increasing value – Matching consumer and market needs better to the quantity and quality of food and commodity production.

Brazil now has a rich ecosystem of hubs and startups, and post-pandemic many more examples of market focused solutions from companies led by experienced entrepreneurs.  The innovators listed below reflect this new reality.

1. Robotics

AuRos Robotics is developing a robotic platform designed to automate the harvesting, sorting, and classifying of fruits. Leveraging technologies such as robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, their system enables automatic data acquisition, fast information processing, and efficient decision-making. With a focus on optimizing production, the platform provides productivity precision maps, monitors production and activities, and recognizes losses. The implementation of robotics and AI in fruit harvesting brings benefits like harvesting at the ideal moment, quality verification, and pre-classification based on size, type, or ripeness, ultimately improving fruit quality and orchard records.

Roboagro stands at the vanguard of revolutionizing pig farming in Brazil, developing automated robots that bring unmatched precision to the industry. With their cutting-edge technology, these robots dispense exact food portions per stall, distribute water and medicine efficiently, and offer seamless traceability. By integrating RoboAgro's innovative robots into their operations, pig farmers significantly reduce feed waste and labor while optimizing treatment schedules for superior financial results. Having already sold more than 1000 robots and established a network of over 80 authorized service stations, RoboAgro ensures top-notch support and service, empowering farmers to embrace a future of unprecedented precision and success.

Adroit Robotics is a leading developer of intelligent sensors and software for precision agriculture. Their innovative LeafSense technology combines artificial intelligence and smart sensors to continuously monitor orchard yield and health in fruticulture, optimizing productivity and reducing costs. The system employs advanced diagnostics algorithms and forecasting models, providing up-to-date information for quick management decisions. Benefits include savings on agrochemicals, precise application, timely harvesting, and increased efficiency for agronomists. With detailed insights and early detection capabilities, Adroit Robotics revolutionizes pest and disease control, eliminating conventional inspections, spotting anomalies before they are visible, and minimizing losses caused by diseases while preventing their spread.

2. Internet of Things (IoT)

Addressing key challenges in the poultry industry,  Agrosolus has set out to transform aviculture through cutting-edge technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision. Founded in 2016, Agrisolus tackles issues such as input wastage, scenario forecasting, and disease prevention. The company was born from a vision to develop technological solutions that genuinely assist rural producers in achieving higher productivity and better results. By combining expertise in technology and agriculture, Agrisolus recognized the industry's technological gaps and the critical role of prediction in maximizing profitability. With over 9,000 sensors currently capturing data, Agrisolus processes and generates valuable insights for the aviculture sector.

Pecsmart is a manufacturer of information management and precision livestock devices that empower farmers to control animal production efficiently. They offer a range of innovative products, including SmartCam, SmartCalc, SmartMic, and SmartFeed, which provide real-time monitoring and data-driven insights. These solutions enable farmers to optimize feed consumption, reduce costs, and enhance crop management, leading to accelerated or controlled production based on opportunities. Pecsmart's focus on automated data collection and analysis facilitates intelligent decision-making for maximizing profitability and productivity, making farming operations more streamlined and effective.

Favo is a technology-driven company that offers a complete platform for smart agriculture, specializing in automated data collection, irrigation, and environmental sensing. Their system optimizes farming processes, including crop management, financial analysis, and supplier management, using IoT and automation technology. They provide personalized planning and continuous monitoring, assisting farmers in making data-driven decisions. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, Favo empowers both small and large-scale producers to achieve better results, making agriculture a positive force for society and the environment. Their products and services cater to various agricultural sectors, including medicinal cannabis, and aim to enhance cultivation experiences while promoting practical and conscious farming practices.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cromai is an agriculture technology firm specializing in georeferenced identification of weed groups in sugarcane fields using artificial intelligence. They leverage computer vision, a cutting-edge technology, to analyze images collected in the field, offering accurate diagnoses for better agronomic decision-making. Through their solutions like Cromai Daninhas, Cromai Impurezas, Cromai Scan, and Cromai Sentinel, they enable farms to optimize their operational processes, reduce the use of herbicides, enhance crop quality, and achieve maximum productivity using artificial intelligence in a simple and sustainable manner. Cromai's advanced technology provides precise and real-time results, facilitating efficient weed management and crop assessment in sugarcane fields.

Performance Vegetal is a leading provider of AI-based solutions revolutionizing plant nutrition. Seamlessly blending human intelligence with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, they offer an unparalleled platform for monitoring and diagnosing the nutritional status of plants. Empowering agriculturalists with valuable insights, Performance Vegetal goes a step further by providing precise fertilizer recommendations, ensuring optimal growth and health for plants.

Elysios is leading the charge in crop control, sensing, and automation to drive productivity to new heights. At the forefront of technology, the company leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to offer cutting-edge solutions that empower farmers with informed decision-making, enhanced traceability, and resource optimization. Elysios' innovative field management system becomes the cornerstone of high productivity, while their agricultural intelligence tools deliver outstanding results, revolutionizing cultivation practices, profitability, time optimization, and resource efficiency.

Tarvos specializes in a pest monitoring platform designed to provide real-time insights for quick and accurate decision-making in crop management. Their automatic traps monitor crops 24/7, assessing pest pressure and potential damage. Utilizing advanced biostatistical models and artificial intelligence, the platform identifies various pests without human intervention. When a pest is detected, Tarvos automatically sends WhatsApp alerts, providing information on the pest's history and how to mitigate its impact. With localized weather data and autonomous solar-powered systems, Tarvos streamlines pest monitoring without the need for additional network installations.

SensaIoTech is an agricultural technology developer that focuses on increasing client productivity and reducing production costs. They offer soil and environment monitoring services using AI embedded devices, cutting-edge technologies, and machine learning. Their SmartFarm solution enables real-time monitoring of various farm variables, while their FireWatch solution predicts high-risk areas for wildfires. Overall, SensaIoTech provides innovative technology to enhance agricultural efficiency and risk management.

A de Agro is a developer of a credit application that provides suitable credit to farmers based on the quality of their crops. The company's platform utilizes satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to estimate production history, ensuring fairer credit for farmers and safer operations for financiers.

AgroBee is a developer of application software that enhances the quality and quantity of food through ecosystemic bee services. Their platform utilizes artificial intelligence and 4.0 technology to connect those seeking flower pollination with beekeepers offering bee services. This fosters sustainable agricultural production while protecting bees. With AgroBee's app, farmers gain real-time access to culture management, farm management, and beehive management, empowering them to make informed decisions for income generation and sustainability.

Prediza is a developer of predictive technology, integrating computer vision and IoT solutions for agriculture and the environment, with a primary focus on promoting efficiency in cultivation. Their platform utilizes artificial intelligence and data analysis to offer predictive solutions for sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency, and environmental preservation. By providing intelligent monitoring systems, Prediza assists farmers, agronomists, and environmental engineers in making informed decisions for risk reduction, cost optimization, and sustainable resource management. As pioneers in predictive analysis, artificial intelligence, and computer vision, Prediza empowers stakeholders in agriculture and clean energy sectors with the tools to anticipate and address potential risks and threats effectively.

Mindflow Genomics is an Agritech company dedicated to unlocking the soil's regeneration potential and promoting a sustainable food system. They utilize cutting-edge technology and data-driven approaches to help farmers restore soil productivity. By using artificial intelligence and genetically sequenced soil microbiomes, Mindflow Genomics identifies and analyzes soil nutrient levels, providing detailed soil diagnostic reports, including potential for soil regeneration, productive areas, microbiome composition, and soil restoration plans. Their precision biological diagnostic tools, such as Metaflow, Metacore, and Getzymes, enable agriculturists and agri-businesses to make informed decisions, increase productivity, and improve crop yields.

Busca Terra is an agriculture technology company focused on mitigating financial risks in rural properties. Their platform uses AI and ML to provide accurate information by integrating on-farm data with climate, soil, land tenure, deforestation alerts, and fire outbreaks. This centralized and georeferenced database empowers users in the rural property market, collateral assessment, land regularization, and rural credit with proper information and analysis about their agricultural assets. With over 9 million rural properties and 50 integrated data sources, Busca Terra offers flexible search options, data visualization, and customized analytics for various businesses and markets, supporting informed decision-making and reducing uncertainty in agribusiness.

4. Drones

Sensix is a developer of an agricultural monitoring intelligence platform that processes drone images to generate agronomic indicators. The platform identifies various factors such as vigor variability, pest incidence, and nutritional status anomalies in crops. By collecting and processing crop images, farmers receive quick and accurate insights to optimize their management and decision-making. Additionally, the platform consolidates and manages various agricultural data, offering cost-saving herbicide solutions and other valuable tools for efficient and sustainable agriculture.

NetWord Agro is a developer of a soil and crop monitoring system designed to help farmers identify potential damage to their plantation before it occurs. Their predictive technology aids in preventing infestations of pests, diseases, and weeds, allowing farmers to be more efficient in crop management while reducing costs on pesticides by applying them only in specific areas as needed. Unlike other companies, they employ proprietary technology, utilizing an electrical conductivity soil sensor that provides precise and individualized data for each plot, rather than relying on fixed grids or averages. With their UAV equipped with exclusive capture and monitoring hardware, NetWord Agro identifies affected or vulnerable areas, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on when and where to spray, thus maximizing crop yield, profitability, and safety.

Auster Tecnologia is an agricultural technology company that specializes in developing tools to improve farming techniques. They offer the Smart-N system, which utilizes remote sensing technologies like multispectral cameras mounted on drones to analyze crop attributes and provide precise input prescriptions for optimal fertilization. The company also designs their own aerial vehicles, such as the AT120, to capture reliable and high-quality data for more effective agricultural solutions. Auster Tecnologia's focus is on empowering farmers with data-driven insights to enhance sustainability and achieve significant improvements in crop quality and yield.

Horus is a provider of air mapping services for the agriculture and the energy sectors. They develop artificial intelligence-integrated drones that capture RGB and thermal images to generate information on various aspects such as pest attacks, infestations, nutritional deficiencies, and planting failures. Their unique methodology allows them to deliver rapid and accurate insights about the real conditions of solar panels in large solar plants, enhancing efficiency and return on investment for solar assets. With their services, farmers and energy producers can optimize field production and identify anomalies affecting energy production, all conveniently accessible through a user-friendly platform.

Arpac is a developer of agricultural drones specialized in pest and disease control, offering precision application that reduces pesticide use while being effective on rough terrain without damaging the field. With their own manufacturing and a complete operating kit, including highly trained technical teams, Arpac's drones provide cost savings, precise automatic flight guided by coordinates, and increased safety for operators. They offer services for chemical and biological pesticide application as well as mapping flights to identify weed patches, ensuring crop protection, improved soil fertility, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Sardrones specializes in agricultural drone technology, offering innovative solutions for the dispersion of biological agents and seeds in the agriculture sector. Their drones, equipped with specific dispensers and proprietary software, automate the application of biological agents, replacing manual labor and overcoming the labor shortage faced by clients. By utilizing drones for pest control and reforestation, Sardrones enables agriculturalists to enhance the use of biological control and repopulate forests efficiently. Their operations are transparent through an integrated app that provides real-time flight logs, georeferenced points, temperature data, flight maps, and area coverage. With a range of drone models, including liberators for Cotesia, seed dispersers, and multiespectral cameras, Sardrones ensures reliable and eco-friendly solutions for their clients.

5. Blockchain

EcoTrace offers blockchain-based traceability solutions for agribusiness. Leveraging machine learning, IoT, big data, and data science, they ensure complete production chain tracing with transparency and reliability. By utilizing blockchain to record data, EcoTrace sets the standard for trustworthy agribusiness practices. In January 2021, the company raised almost $1 million in VC funding from various investors.

Embrapa is an innovation-driven company that focuses on the generation of knowledge and technology for Brazilian agriculture. Through its Sibraar blockchain-based system, Embrapa enhances traceability in the agricultural sector, providing consumers with detailed information about products, such as brown sugar, and ensuring transparency and data integrity. With a commitment to scientific excellence, sustainability, and partnerships, Embrapa drives advancements in agribusiness, contributing to food security and Brazil's leading position in the global market for food, fiber, and energy.

Wiagro is an agricultural technology solutions platform specializing in postharvest processes. Their Smart Silobag® platform empowers producers with real-time data on silo bags and transported grains, offering temperature, humidity, and CO2 measurements, as well as silobag rupture detection. With satellite connectivity, a web and mobile platform, and blockchain technology ensuring transparency and security, Wiagro enables efficient management and traceability throughout the grain value chain. Their innovative Smart PH3® and Smart Barge® tools facilitate remote monitoring of phosphine fumigation and grain quality during maritime transportation, further optimizing grain storage and transportation processes.

6. Data Analytics

Solinftec is developing a digital agricultural platform, aimed at enhancing outcomes while reducing environmental impact. With a focus on real-time decision-making, their platform offers process monitoring and data analysis solutions. In a remarkable milestone, Solinftec secured $60 million of Series C funding from diverse investors in February 2023.

Agrosmart is designing cutting-edge farming management applications, dedicated to monitoring irrigation and agricultural data. Leveraging climate solutions, their platform efficiently manages and mitigates financial risks in farming. With real-time monitoring of environmental conditions, Agrosmart's application utilizes sensors, meteorological data, image processing, satellite imaging, and weather forecasts. It also empowers farmers to make decisions based on data-driven insights, optimize resources, and ensure successful harvests.

Olho do Dono is developing cutting-edge cattle weight monitoring solutions. With their innovative cattle weight watcher camera system, farm owners can easily capture cattle images and monitor weights with precision. The system proves invaluable in verifying the efficiency of supplementation requirements, ensuring optimal nutrition for the livestock. Additionally, Olho do Dono assists farmers in making informed decisions on the opportune time and weight to sell their cattle at favorable prices.

The merger of GA+Intergado has given rise to Ponta. With unmatched expertise in genetic selection for Feed Efficiency and livestock management technology, Ponta seamlessly connects researchers, breeders, and producers, aiming to enhance profitability and sustainability in livestock farming. Through cutting-edge technology and a customer-centric approach, Ponta opens new possibilities for Brazilian cattle ranching, revolutionizing the entire production chain through data-driven insights. Embrace the future of livestock transformation with Ponta, where innovation and integration converge to shape a more prosperous and sustainable world of livestock farming.

Leigado offers diversified solutions for livestock management, including software and apps for milk and beef property management, milk supplier qualification plans, rural producers' electronic invoices, and financial operations for cattle farms. With user-friendly interfaces, Leigado Gestão provides intelligent control for dairy and beef properties, streamlining and enhancing management processes. From small to large-scale producers, the software covers essential aspects like production, reproduction, sanitation, inventory, and finances. Additionally, Leigado Qualifique assists dairies with complete solutions based on the Milk Supplier Qualification Plan, ensuring efficient and timely evaluations by technicians.

Kajoo specializes in state-of-the-art egg counting equipment, utilizing camera and computer vision technology. With a wide application range from 10cm to 100cm width conveyor belts, Kajoo's system offers precise counting per side and seamless WiFi integration with the internet and other systems. Experience the benefits of their technology, unaffected by electrical or solar network noise, eliminating the need for belt deviations or funneling. The equipment's accuracy, exceeding 99.997%, is complemented by a 5" colorful touchscreen display, offering real-time monitoring, cloud-based reporting, performance charts, and operation alarms.

SSCrop is an agricultural software company that provides a web-based platform for rural administration and management. Their user-friendly software enables farmers to have control over various aspects, including expenses, income, loans, investments, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliation, sales contract management, and costs related to farms, crops, seasons, or fields. With SSCrop, rural producers can access essential information for effective farm management, streamlining tasks related to finance, inventory, and crop management. The software also facilitates the generation of LCDPR (Livro Caixa do Produtor Rural) and automates the handling of invoices from suppliers.

Hortify is a developer of an agriculture and farm management application tailored for horticulture and fruit-growing industries. Their user-friendly platform gathers production, labor, inventory, and financial data, supported by smart algorithms for effective decision-making. The application also emphasizes food traceability, meeting government regulations and ensuring transparency in the food supply chain. Key features include easy-to-use food traceability, personnel productivity control, precise production management for horticulture, and financial control. By partnering with Hortify, rural producers and partners can efficiently manage their agricultural businesses, connecting with various suppliers and buyers while improving overall performance and sustainability.

Rúmina is a developer of a digital livestock platform that aims to improve risk analysis and promote credit in an optimized and transparent chain. By embracing technology such as biotechnology, sensors, software, financial solutions, and artificial intelligence, Rúmina seeks to empower farmers of all sizes, veterinary technicians, consultants, and the entire cattle value chain. They strive to transform over 7,000 farms through digitalization, helping farmers produce more efficiently, profitably, and sustainably while reducing the use of antibiotics and enhancing milk quality.

TerraMagna is a provider of agricultural credit services that aims to revolutionize lending for agribusiness by offering simplified and faster credit with fair rates. Their unique technology evaluates the producer's history, production capacity, and monitors the crop from planting to harvest using satellite and other technologies. With access to healthy credit through continuous value aggregation, TerraMagna provides distributors with the ability to anticipate receivables and transform contracts into credit, eliminating the need to wait until the end of the season for payment. Their platform has granted over 1.2 billion BRL in credit in 2022, monitored over 6.7 thousand CPRs (Rural Product Notes), and served 230 input distributors.

AgroTools is a developer of an agricultural platform that connects businesses to territories through crucial data insights for smarter decision-making. With the largest agricultural database globally, featuring over 1,300 layers of collected information and constant updates through algorithms, the company empowers agribusinesses with digital tools for brand management, rural credit digitalization, and agricultural insurance. Their software provides crop insights, quality checks, and production enhancement strategies, enabling clients to enhance sustainability and profitability. AgroTools assists businesses in analyzing risks, ensuring transparent and responsible supply chains, and optimizing sales efforts. Their solutions encompass rural financing, sales efficiency, ESG compliance, brand protection, rural insurance, and supply chain intelligence.

Stac is a developer of agriculture-based software that enhances farm productivity through efficient management, real-time data monitoring, and informed decision-making. Their solutions, including Avestac PRO, AvestacMAT, and AvestacIND, cater to poultry owners, providing effective control and remote decision-making tools. The platform allows tracking aviary conditions, zootecnical performance, egg production, and more, empowering users to optimize poultry management, ensure animal comfort, and improve performance. Stac's technology utilizes IoT-enabled sensors and cloud-based data processing, delivering real-time information and customized reports for quick and efficient response. Additionally, they offer training, support, and personalized solutions for agribusinesses to integrate the software with other systems and expand functionality.

E-ctare is an agro-fintech platform that focuses on providing credit solutions for rural producers and the entire agribusiness chain. With their digital platform, they offer innovative solutions to help farmers achieve greater liquidity and fair prices in their commercial activities. For the past 5 years, E-ctare has been eliminating legal and fiscal risks for dairy operations by offering essential services such as prepayment of receivables and product sales. Additionally, they provide a digital wallet that offers various intelligent solutions to empower farmers and enhance their operations. Through their technology-driven approach, E-ctare aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector and provide farmers with the financial support they need for sustainable growth and success.

Grão Direto is the developer of an innovative agricultural platform aimed at digitizing the commodity chain in agriculture and facilitating efficient market transactions for farmers and buyers. Their platform provides valuable market intelligence analysis, real-time pricing, and digital negotiation options, enabling seamless spot and future market or barter trades. With a large network of sellers and buyers, including numerous rural producers, Grão Direto handles millions of tons of grain transactions in Latin America. Farmers and grain buyers benefit from the platform's comprehensive support, organized business records, and increased business opportunities through connections with various buyers and brokers. The platform's automated and personalized pricing, coupled with updated market information, empowers users to make well-informed decisions, ensuring smoother, cost-effective, and time-saving operations in the agricultural sector.

Creditares is a financial platform that focuses on improving financial services for the agricultural sector. Their platform utilizes the open banking model to provide credit solutions for rural producers, offering risk and credit analyses of financial transactions. With access to a wide range of credit lines from over 20 financial institutions, Creditares enables farmers to secure loans and working capital for their agricultural operations. By combining comprehensive financial diagnostics and future performance projections, their experts tailor the best credit proposals to meet the needs of each individual producer. Creditares also offers professional training in the agro finance market, ensuring farmers have the necessary knowledge and support to navigate the rural financial landscape effectively.

BioAmazon is an agriculture business platform dedicated to sustainable agriculture in the Amazon region. Their comprehensive solution aims to help farmers achieve profitable and sustainable agriculture by offering a digital marketplace for agricultural inputs, a remote monitoring system for crops, and a training program for farmers. By using their products and services, farmers can reduce costs with imported chemical fertilizers by up to 30%, improve soil health, enhance crop resilience during dry periods, and achieve long-term competitiveness and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Additionally, BioAmazon provides certified bioinputs and agronomic consulting to support farmers in their journey towards increased productivity and ecological responsibility.

Seedz is an agri-business platform that bridges farmers with industries, dealers, and cooperatives, offering a range of services like coalition programs, software solutions, crop mapping, and loyalty programs. The platform introduces the Agro currency, enabling farmers to pay bills, recharge mobile phones, and exchange for products and services for their farms. With over 100 integrated retailers, distributing more than 3 billion coins, and having over 100,000 registered users, Seedz aims to boost agricultural businesses and simplify processes for farmers, making their decisions more agile and efficient.

Meu Pescadodoroth is an aquaculture platform offering a comprehensive management system for pisciculture and carciniculture. The platform facilitates financial and zootechnical management, allowing producers to track all farming activities, analyze financial data, and connect directly with buyers. For buyers, it provides access to over 100 trusted suppliers, ensuring fresh and traceable products. With the convenience of mobile apps, Meu Pescado saves time and money for both producers and buyers, streamlining the process of buying and selling seafood products.

 7. Cloud Connectivity

Cowmed pioneers cloud-based cattle health and nutrition monitoring solutions through its C-Tech system. Utilizing antennas and animal collars, it efficiently collects and transmits herd data to the cloud database, enabling real-time analysis of cattle behavior. Farmers benefit from timely alerts and notifications for optimized insemination planning and other data-driven decisions, ensuring healthier and more productive herds.

JetBov offers a cutting-edge cloud-based software platform tailored for livestock farms, streamlining data recording and management. With comprehensive features, the platform effortlessly maintains feeding and health-related data, including vaccination records. Utilizing predictive analysis, JetBov provides valuable cost insights for every step of the livestock farming process. Accessible from anywhere via the mobile application, JetBov empowers farmers to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and elevate the productivity and health of their livestock.

1. Other innovations

IdeeLab specializes in agricultural innovation services, focusing on understanding plant physiology at the molecular level. Their core expertise lies in biological control, inducing resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, promoting plant growth, and enhancing tolerance to water and saline stresses. They provide comprehensive reports to aid in product positioning and sales in the market. IdeeLab offers a connection between academic innovations and large corporations in the agronomic field, developing and transferring proprietary biological-based products. They also explore the potential of microorganisms to produce molecules and effector proteins for agricultural applications. With a diverse micro-organisms library, IdeeLab works on developing various lines of bioproducts that have positive effects on agriculture.

AgroFlux is a developer and provider of technological innovations for agriculture, aiming to increase production through simple and innovative solutions. They offer the New Fluxin, a flow measuring device designed for nozzle flow in agricultural spraying. With this technology, farmers can gain precise control over the condition of spray tips, ensuring efficient and uniform application of agricultural products. The New Fluxin also helps in agricultural prevention, preventing excess or insufficient dosage in crops, leading to optimized investments in spraying and promoting sustainable practices in a practical and easy way.

Conclusions

The need for novel innovative technologies in Brazil differs from other markets only in the extremities of what challenges the country is facing and which represent a real and present danger to its continued growth.  ESG Is the top of these, and the ability to demonstrate the food and farm products can be produced more sustainably in Brazil than in other countries of the world is the biggest prize that agtech solutions can bring.  Blockchain like technologies to improve transparency, sensors such as IoT, AI informed camera vision, drones and more also allow consumers to see in real time farming practices from half a world away.  Addressing the challenges of labor shortages, shifting work from traditional roles to technology based, increasing the speed and flexibility of responsiveness to market changes; all of these are plusses.

The continued growth of Brazil’s agriculture is not inevitable, but it has an environment is conducive to the most efficient production of food on the planet today.  With careful marshalling of its resources agritech innovations can enable that future in a manner that consumers outside of Brazil can confirm it is climate-positive and embraces agriculture management processes like regenerative agriculture. 

Thanks to Rudy Perez for research on Brazil’s agritech innovators and comments and corrections from Prof Marcos Fava Neves and Roberto Fava Scare of Harven Agribusiness School and advisor Andre Litmanowicz.