Private Technical Assistance: How ATERp Transforms Knowledge into a Profitable Business

The Private Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATERp) — provided by agronomists, veterinarians and agricultural technicians, whether freelance or in companies — is the service with the greatest impact on the economic results of rural properties. Producers who have regular technical assistance have productivity 25 to 40% higher than those who do not — the return on investment in ATERp is the highest available in agribusiness.

The ATERp market grows 20% per year in Brazil — with demand far exceeding the supply of qualified professionals. The agronomist who sets up a consulting office with a client portfolio of 30 to 50 properties has revenue of R$ 150.000 to R$ 500.000 per year with low fixed costs and high revenue predictability.

When technical assistance is provided regularly, with recorded data and measurable results, we significantly improve the reliability of equipment/processes, the quality of the service provided and decision-making based on facts. This systematic approach transforms the production process and maintenance into a strategic asset. This segment can contribute significantly to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, advanced studies and 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.

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, updated data and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, policymakers and traders.

1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to structure a profitable rural technical assistance office

An efficient ATERp office starts with the regional client portfolio — 30 to 50 properties within a radius of 50 to 100 km allows regular visits with logistical efficiency. The fixed monthly fee model with fortnightly or monthly visits is the most predictable revenue model.

✔ Subscription model: R$ 300 to R$ 1.500/property/month

✔ Specialization by crop or system — market differentiator

✔ Digital field records — data that prove the result

✔ Technical report — a valuable document for rural credit

✔ CREA-ART — mandatory for technical responsibility

The E-Book 01 — Manual Estratégico para o Pequeno Produtor Rural presents, in detail, the best solutions for the 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 tools and services does ATERp require

ATERp requires digital field tools, partner laboratories and continuous training — with growing demand for specialized technical assistance by crop.

Solutions by engineering area applied to the segment

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

Electrical Engineering and Computing — field apps and management platforms;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — sensors and field data for reports;

Control and Automation Engineering — automation of systems recommended by the technician;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — drones for crop diagnosis;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar as a technical recommendation;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — diagnostic and prescription platforms.

✔ Field management apps (Aegro, AgriHub, Conecta)

✔ Partnership with soil and leaf laboratories

✔ Drone for NDVI diagnosis

✔ Continuous training in new technologies

✔ Platform for digital technical reports

The E-Book 02 — Guia Estratégico para o Micro e Pequeno Fornecedor Local 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 ATERp and create a technical services hub

ATERp is the service with the greatest impact on local agricultural productivity — and the municipality that supports the establishment of technical offices attracts qualified professionals who raise the technological level of producers.

✔ Subsidized ATERp program for family farmers

✔ Municipal IDM: properties with regular technical assistance

✔ Agronomic services hub in the municipality

✔ Training young agronomists in technical entrepreneurship

✔ Public + private ATER in a complementary model

The E-Book 03 — Guia de Referência para Governos Municipais presents the step-by-step guide 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 Agricultural Product Traders

How ATERp generates business for agronomists and specialized consultants

The agronomist who builds a portfolio of 40 clients at R$ 600/month has revenue of R$ 24.000/month with fortnightly visits to each property — with no product cost, only a vehicle and field tools. It is the highest return-per-hour business model available to the newly graduated agronomist.

For ATERp specialized in high-value crops — coffee, grape, strawberry, tomato — the monthly fee can be R$ 1.500 to R$ 5.000 per property, with the technician responsible for the complete management plan and measurable productivity results.

Products with high commercial potential

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

ATERp subscription— R$ 300 to R$ 5.000/property/month;

Technical report for rural credit— a high-value document;

Specialized crop consulting— coffee, grape, tomato;

NDVI diagnosis by drone— complementary service;

Property management plan— high-value product;

Producer training— extension service.

Profiles of traders and their specific opportunities

✔ Independent agronomists: regional portfolio of 30 to 50 clients

✔ ATERp companies: scale of consultants by region

✔ CREA: registration and oversight of technical responsibility

✔ Family farmers: ATERp as the highest-return investment

✔ Digital platforms: ATERp apps and portfolio management

✔ PRONAF: credit with ATERp technical report

Growth strategies for the local trader

The agronomist who specializes in a high-value crop and builds a regional reputation has the most market-loyal product in the services market — the coffee or grape producer who has a specialized technician who solves problems never switches to a generalist.

Pronampe finances ATERp offices. SEBRAE subsidizes training for agronomist entrepreneurs.

The E-Book 04 — Guia Estratégico para o Pequeno Comerciante de Produtos Agropecuários maps 30 profiles of traders and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for R$ 150 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Members who form groups may 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 profile:

✔ Small Rural Producers: 100 members

✔ Micro and Small Supplying Companies: 33 members

✔ Municipal Governments: 10 members

✔ Small Agricultural Product Traders: 33 members

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

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

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

Teaching experience: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of experience in Engineering