Precision Agriculture: Sensors, GPS, Drones and Satellites to Produce More with Less

Take part in our strategic actions for implementing the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies and advanced research cover 20 value chains and the 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extractivism, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock and much more. Precision agriculture — the use of geolocation technology, sensors and data analysis to optimize the application of inputs and crop management — is the greatest revolution in agricultural productivity since mechanization. With it, the producer applies the right fertilizer, in the right amount, in the right place — eliminating waste, reducing costs and increasing productivity per hectare.

The precision technology market grows 15% per year in Brazil — with increasing adoption of onboard GPS in tractors, soil sensors, spray drones and crop management platforms. Adoption of variable rate application alone reduces fertilizer cost by 10 to 20% and increases productivity by 5 to 15%.

When precision agriculture is implemented with grid soil analysis and variable rate application, it becomes possible to improve management of the agricultural activity. This segment can contribute greatly to job and income generation in Brazil.

The series Inovação Para o Brasil Produzir Mais was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, up-to-date data and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, policymakers and traders.

1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to implement precision agriculture with guaranteed return

Precision agriculture starts with georeferenced grid soil sampling — collecting samples every 2.5 to 5 ha with georeferencing — which creates the property's fertility map. With the map, variable rate prescription eliminates unnecessary application in already fertile areas and corrects deficient ones.

✔ Georeferenced grid soil sampling — the basis of precision agriculture

✔ RTK GPS on tractor or sprayer — 2.5 cm accuracy

✔ Drones for NDVI monitoring — crop health in real time

✔ Variable rate application (VRA) — 10 to 20% input reduction

✔ BNDES and Plano Safra for precision equipment

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and the other 254 of Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for R$ 50 →

2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

Which equipment precision agriculture demands

Precision agriculture requires RTK GPS, soil sensors, drones and management platforms — high-growth markets with global and national manufacturers.

Solutions by engineering area applied to the segment

Our activities, studies and advanced research cover six major engineering areas — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical and Computer Engineering — RTK GPS and variable rate systems;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — soil, moisture and temperature sensors;

Control and Automation Engineering — autopilot and VRA systems;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — agricultural drones and precision sprayers;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for remote monitoring stations;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — management and decision-making platforms.

✔ RTK GPS for tractor autopilot

✔ Monitoring and spraying drones

✔ Soil sensors for spatial variability

✔ Precision agriculture management platforms

✔ Precision implementation consulting

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation and specialized technical services. Access now for R$ 150 →

3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support precision agriculture and create a technology hub

Precision agriculture increases productivity and reduces environmental impact simultaneously — and the municipality that supports adoption raises the competitiveness of local producers in the national market.

✔ Precision agriculture program with EMBRAPA and a university

✔ Municipal IDM: percentage of area under precision management

✔ Grid soil analysis center for local producers

✔ Digital and precision agriculture school

✔ Municipal drone for crop monitoring

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for R$ 450 →

4. Opportunities for Small Retailers of Agricultural Products

How precision agriculture creates business for manufacturers and consultants

The RTK GPS with autopilot for tractors is the most widely adopted product in precision agriculture — with returns of R$ 50,000 to R$ 150,000 per season in savings from overlap reduction in crops of 500 to 2,000 ha. Payback is 1 to 2 seasons.

For spray drones, the application service market grows 40% per year — with drone operators earning R$ 30 to R$ 60/ha and producers paying a premium for reduced spray volume and access to flooded areas that ground sprayers cannot reach.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

RTK GPS with autopilot— payback of 1 to 2 seasons;

Agricultural spray drones— growing service;

Crop management platforms— high-value software;

Soil and monitoring sensors— growing IoT;

Precision agriculture consulting— premium service;

Grid soil analysis— recurring service per property.

Profiles of merchants and their specific opportunities

✔ GPS manufacturers: Trimble, Leica, Hexagon for tractors

✔ Drone operators: spraying and monitoring services

✔ Management platforms: John Deere Operations, Climate Corp

✔ Consultants: precision implementation on farms

✔ Soil laboratories: georeferenced grid analysis

✔ Technology distributors: precision integrators

Growth strategies for the local merchant

The precision consultant who combines soil analysis + VRA prescription + drone monitoring has a high-value service package with proven return — and the farmer who tries it once never returns to traditional uniform management.

Plano Safra and BNDES cover equipment. Pronampe finances distributors and consultants. Finep supports innovation.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Retailer of Agricultural Products maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 agribusiness segments. Access now for R$ 150 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By acquiring any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Members who form groups will be able to organize in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide. The minimum number of members varies according to the group's profile:

✔ Small Rural Producers: 100 members

✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies: 33 members

✔ Municipal Governments: 10 members

✔ Small Retailers of Agricultural Products: 33 members

⭐ Special offer: I will provide a 100% discount on the value of my hourly rate for the first 10 events held in Brazil, scheduled and confirmed by March 31, 2026.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Teaching experience: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of engineering experience