Use of biopesticides grows among Brazilian farmers: Study

Recently concluded research, of which AgroPages had first-hand access, points to a growing trend in the use of biological pest control products, either alone or in association with chemical pesticides.

The study, entitled “Innovation in agribusiness and the qualification of the Brazilian producer in the digital age,” was developed by EY Consulting, an associate of Ernst & Young Global Limited in partnership with CropLife Brasil, which brings together the main companies operating in the segments of seeds, biotechnology, pesticides and biological products.

According to the authors, “The improvement of management practices in crops, with the integration of new plant protection tools, such as biological pesticides and biotechnologies, as well as the use of drones and pest identification from digital resources, require different knowledge and systematic updating on the part of farmers.”

The survey results, they explain, provide information on the perception of rural producers, regarding training in the sector that may contribute to the design of more effective educational programs.

The survey also showed a 57.9% increase in the use of biological products over the years, either alone or in association with chemical pesticides, which are used by a majority of 97.7%. This reflects a search for alternatives with low toxicity, in response to the demands of consumers, who are increasingly interested in sustainable consumption.

“The correct use of pesticides, whether biological or chemical, depends on knowledge and learning of handling practices by farmers. The research showed that the level of education and access to training varies according to the regions where certain agricultural crops predominate”, points out a statement from the authors.

In sugarcane (35%), orange (28%) and apple (20%), for example, there was a greater presence of farmers with higher education and greater access to learning in the use of pesticides, a finding that may be correlated to the complexity of operations and the degree of development of the states where these crops are concentrated.

THE STUDY

The objective, according to the researchers, was “to present a current overview of the agribusiness sector, in relation to challenges and opportunities, showing the profile of the Brazilian farmer, in addition to identifying the perceptions of those who work directly in the application of crop protection technologies in relation to training approaches.”

The study reveals that the agricultural sector is inserted in a context of great challenges, which drive transformations in its business model. “Without a doubt, progress on this journey will increasingly require access to innovation. If today it is already a great ally of agribusiness, soon, innovation will have to be even more inclusive.”

The collected data helped to outline a profile of the Brazilian farmer in the current times. The generation responsible for expanding agricultural frontiers in the 1970s and 1980s also prepared their successors. With a more complete education, a more technical look at the business and a great openness to the use of technology, the new generation has been taking a leading role in an agriculture that needs to remain competitive, facing more complex challenges arising from the impacts of climate change and of regulatory requirements.

In the age group between 25 and 44 years, corresponding to 58% of those surveyed, it was found that 95%  are more familiar with the use of the internet in the search for information about the weather, techniques or quotes, while this percentage drops to 60% among those over 55 years old. In both cases, the main access is through the use of smartphones (38.5%).

Taking advantage of the benefits of agricultural technologies depends directly on their understanding and correct use, factors that constitute major challenges for technology developers, the government and the farmer, himself, which increasingly demands greater education and qualifications for rural workers. In line with this scenario, the study reveals a higher proportion of young producers with secondary and higher education levels, equivalent to 30.1% today against 23.6% in 2016.

On the other hand, the same farmers who were consulted, pointed out difficulties in advancing in the modernization of the field, due to the costs of machinery, equipment and technologies (67%), the hiring of specialized services (44%) or the lack of knowledge on how to handle them.

The research was conducted in the field by Fruto Agrointeligência and questioned 384 producers.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)