Development of commmercial and industrial strategies for Agrio Tecnologia's selective spraying system through in compliance to standards for large-scale production, commercial management structuring and intellectual property protection.

• Grant number: 25/02772-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Agricultural Machinery and Implements
• Principal Investigator: André Orlandi de Oliveira
• Grantee: André Orlandi de Oliveira
• Associated researchers: Guilherme Cunha de Castro ; Jarbas Caiado de Castro Neto ; Lucas Orlandi de Oliveira ; Samuel de Paula ; Yuri Sarreta Oda
• Associated research grant: 23/10681-7 - Equipment for localized herbicides spraying for weed control in pre-planting and after soybean crop emergence using multispectral images and computer vision, AP.PIPE

Abstract

Currently, Precision Agriculture (PA) is a field that has received continuous investments in the country due to its ability to optimize inputs and agricultural productivity through data analysis, whether collected by sensors or implements. This technology assists farmers in decision-making processes and enables site-specific crop management, taking into account the heterogeneity of fields and their spatiotemporal variability.The chemical control of weeds through the application of herbicides in the entire field has major consequences, including environmental pollution, high costs for farmers due to the purchase of these inputs, and the application of substances to non-target organisms, contributing to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weed species widely found in the field. Therefore, selective and site-specific spraying equipment designed for integration into agricultural machinery, capable of applying herbicides only to detected weeds, emerges as a promising alternative to address these issues. As a result, such technologies have attracted increasing interest from the scientific-industrial community and numerous farmers worldwide. The PIPE Phase 2 research project, linked to the current project, aims to develop a prototype capable of detecting and classifying weeds and soybean plants in real time using Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence for integration into agricultural sprayers. This system will enable site-specific herbicide applications during different stages of soybean crop management (before planting and post-emergence weed control). Additionally, the primary objective of this research project is the industrial and commercial development of the selective spraying product obtained through PIPE Phase 2 funding. This will be achieved by implementing various strategies to ensure technical feasibility for large-scale production and enable its effective market entry. Among the key strategies to be adopted are the establishment of a production line, the development of injection molds for large-scale production of protective casings, the implementation of commercialization strategies, production process management software, sales management software, intellectual property protection, product compliance with operational regulations and standards, and the product's exhibition in 2026 at Agrishow, the largest agribusiness fair in Brazil, held in Ribeirão Preto, SP. (AU)