Brazilian startup Strider helps cotton growers in northern Texas, US

 

Last season, clients reported up to 15% of savings in the cost with pesticides This digital tool was developed in 2013 and installed in tablets, it allows technicians and field producers to register the exact incidents which may influence in the proliferation of plagues, resulting in a high level control, productivity and, mainly, up to 15% in pesticides cost savings. 

 

The Strider, which has authentic Brazilian technology, reaches international projection, after great results in its home country, with an expressive implementation level in the US. With over 143 clients and monitoring 1.838.000 acres in farmland in Brazil, Strider started its international expansion plan trough Texas. This wasn’t a random choice. According to Phillips McDougall Consulting, the Americans hold the second position in a ranking of 10 countries which consume the highest levels of pesticides in the world, where up to $7,3 billion were spent in 2013. Brazil holds the first position, spending up to $10 billion. In addition to that, this area is a big cotton producer in the World, which demands careful monitoring of the crop and pest populations. It wasn’t easy to enter in one of the most traditional segments. Even with higher knowledge and a quality product it was important to be trusted by the locals. 

 

“We didn't have contacts there. I made some connections over the internet. The first positive answer came from Jim Hunt - Regional Sales Manager from Netafim Irrigation. He said that if an stranger was traveling thousands of miles to talk about an unknown technology for agriculture, due to his experience, that means he deserved a chance.” Ed Siatti, VP of Strider sales. 

 

After a few demonstrations, the platform has grown and gained strength. In only 10 months, businesses are being used by over 115 farms. “The software is very useful to our clients. They know exactly where the problems are and can act promptly,” states Ross Roberts, the Diversity Irrigation president. “I like the function that generates detailed information in real time,” says the consultant Kym Orrock. “We are talking about an easy to use technology which helps to replace paper,” adds Blayne Reed, a Texas Agrilife agent. 

 

This positive relationship network only worked due to one of the biggest differences between Brazilian and American markets. “It’s pretty common to find farmers from rural communities in the US helping a neighbor, who has fallen ill or even passed away, finish planting or harvesting. They have a real sense of community and helping each other’s families,” tells Siatti. 

 

The perspectives to the 2016’s crop are even greater. The Strider will participate in an event held by the Texas Pest Management Association, where it will get in touch with hundreds of concerned producers, which aim to find better ways of pest control and to save on the cost of pesticides. “Great opportunities may come from there. In other occasion, at John Deere, we were invited to be software partner. From the 69 companies present in the event, being 63 of them from US, we were the only one from Latin America. We’ve got to catch the attention and the space that aren’t common to a startup outside of the Silicon Valley, which means a lot to us,” wraps up the VP of Sales. The system arrives at a moment when the agriculture from everywhere in the globe begs for serious transformation. Due to problems of river, ground and food contamination which generate an impact cycle that has already reached higher alerts, endangering the present and the future. A perfect tool handy to the new informed and connected with sustainability business generation.