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Precision and Digital Agriculture: Adoption of Technologies and Perception of Brazilian Farmers

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  • Édson Luis Bolfe

    (Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campinas 13083-886, Brazil
    Department of Geography, Graduate Program in Geography, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-885, Brazil)

  • Lúcio André de Castro Jorge

    (Embrapa Instrumentação, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, São Carlos 13560-970, Brazil)

  • Ieda Del’Arco Sanches

    (Divisão de Sensoriamento Remoto, National Institute for Space Research (INPE), São José dos Campos 12227-010, Brazil)

  • Ariovaldo Luchiari Júnior

    (Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campinas 13083-886, Brazil)

  • Cinthia Cabral da Costa

    (Embrapa Instrumentação, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, São Carlos 13560-970, Brazil)

  • Daniel de Castro Victoria

    (Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campinas 13083-886, Brazil)

  • Ricardo Yassushi Inamasu

    (Embrapa Instrumentação, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, São Carlos 13560-970, Brazil)

  • Célia Regina Grego

    (Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campinas 13083-886, Brazil)

  • Victor Rodrigues Ferreira

    (Unidade de Competitividade do Sebrae Nacional, Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), Brasília 70770-900, Brazil)

  • Andrea Restrepo Ramirez

    (Unidade de Competitividade do Sebrae Nacional, Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), Brasília 70770-900, Brazil)

Abstract

The rapid population growth has driven the demand for more food, fiber, energy, and water, which is associated to an increase in the need to use natural resources in a more sustainable way. The use of precision agriculture machinery and equipment since the 1990s has provided important productive gains and maximized the use of agricultural inputs. The growing connectivity in the rural environment, in addition to its greater integration with data from sensor systems, remote sensors, equipment, and smartphones have paved the way for new concepts from the so-called Agriculture 4.0 or Digital Agriculture. This article presents the results of a survey carried out with 504 Brazilian farmers about the digital technologies in use, as well as current and future applications, perceived benefits, and challenges. The questionnaire was prepared, organized, and made available to the public through the online platform LimeSurvey and was available from 17 April to 2 June 2020. The primary data obtained for each question previously defined were consolidated and analyzed statistically. The results indicate that 84% of the interviewed farmers use at least one digital technology in their production system that differs according to technological complexity level. The main perceived benefit refers to the perception of increased productivity and the main challenges are the acquisition costs of machines, equipment, software, and connectivity. It is also noteworthy that 95% of farmers would like to learn more about new technologies to strengthen the agricultural development in their properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Édson Luis Bolfe & Lúcio André de Castro Jorge & Ieda Del’Arco Sanches & Ariovaldo Luchiari Júnior & Cinthia Cabral da Costa & Daniel de Castro Victoria & Ricardo Yassushi Inamasu & Célia Regina Grego, 2020. "Precision and Digital Agriculture: Adoption of Technologies and Perception of Brazilian Farmers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:12:p:653-:d:465810
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    References listed on IDEAS

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