What role does R&D plays in current Agricultural Scenario?
One of the main challenges that agriculture faces is climate change, along with the urgent need to adopt more sustainable practices. Climate change presents a range of increasing difficulties, including droughts, intense rainfall, and extreme temperatures. At the same time, there is an urgent need to transform agricultural practices to minimize their environmental impact. To thrive in this scenario, we believe the key lies in innovation, continuous improvement, and the development of new technologies and production methods. Just as an example, the use of fertilizers in a more efficient way requires ongoing in-situ analysis and research, but the benefits goes beyond cost since this also contributes in reducing the carbon footprint.
What is the Value of predictive models currently in agriculture?
The democratization of monitoring and IoT technologies has enabled the collection of data that was once unimaginable. Today, we can monitor field microclimates, soil moisture, and crop development in real-time using remote sensing. What once required intensive field data collection is now automated, opening the door to advanced models that help predict the behavior of crops, pests, and diseases. Although these models have been developed over decades, they are now far more precise and widely accessible due to the influx of data provided by IoT technology.
Understanding the value of predictive models is essential for effective field management planning. For example, we are developing disease forecasting and alert models that enable real-time monitoring of conditions that support pathogen sporulation, development, and infection. With this knowledge, we can act swiftly and precisely, significantly improving disease control effectiveness and reducing the use of agrochemicals.
How is the use of AI projected in the future?
We believe that AI represents a paradigm shift comparable only to the advent of the Internet. Currently, we are witnessing the early effects of this technological surge as the world adapts to its applications and explores new possibilities. Agriculture is no exception, and within the next 20 years, companies that do not incorporate AI into their processes may face obsolescence, much like companies today without Internet integration.
At Pinto Piga, we have started working with AI-driven software to optimize seed quality analysis, revealing a Pandora’s box of virtually limitless applications. It’s fascinating to see how AI complements, rather than threatens, human skills—enhancing our deductive and general reasoning with rapid computation and the ability to solve complex "inverse problems."
We are highly optimistic about AI’s potential, and our current focus is on identifying the processes where it can bring the most value, allowing us to effectively develop and implement AI-driven solutions.
How important should investment in R&D be in agricultural companies?
This should be a priority, as it is at Pinto Piga. I believe that investment in R&D is essential for companies aiming to survive and thrive in the coming years. Our industry is demanding and increasingly impacted by climate change, which brings new challenges with each season. In the face of these ongoing obstacles and the drive for continuous improvement, sustained investment and a dedicated team are crucial for tackling present challenges and preparing for the future.