Why AI, Robots, and Genetics Form the Holy Trinity of the New Agribusiness?
Publicado em 27/03/2025
Divulgação
Tejon with Emerson Crepaldi, CEO of Solinftec.
Published on 03/12/2025
Broadcasted by Radio Eldorado Estadão - São Paulo - Brasil
*José Luiz Tejon
I’ve attended the meeting called Sugarcane Executives in Ribeirão Preto, S.Paulo, Brazil,and one item that caught my attention was the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in sugarcane farming.
I spoke with Mr. Emerson Crepaldi, CEO of Solinftec, a company in charge of developing AI-powered robots, over one question that stood out to me was: " How important is this technology for the growth of global agriculture and, at the same time, for addressing climate challenges? "
For this question, Mr. Emerson Crepaldi responded: “Robotics and Artificial Intelligence have a significant impact on climate positioning as a whole, especially in the field activities. Why? Well, when we look at robots working in the field, there are three major factors at play: First, from a productivity standpoint, robots reduce herbicide usage, help plants expend less metabolic energy, and as a result, the plants can utilize light better, nutrients, and organic matter, leading to higher yields. We’ve seen cases of 8 to 10 additional bags of productivity.
From the perspective of Carbon Impact and agricultural pesticide use, we’re talking about an Agribusiness more sustainable because 90% fewer pesticides are being applied.
When we look at the biotic effects on the soil, lab analysis shows that soil treated by robots has much more organic matter and life, which leads to greater carbon retention, creating a cyclical effect of sustainability.
In addition to these gains, we have robots measuring land evolution, centimeter by centimeter, promoting development and precision monitoring.
This way, we can gather vast amounts of data to develop new genetics adapted to the changing climate. Consequently, we have genetic zones for 10, 15 years, where we can accelerate this process and develop new plants to mitigate diverse climate conditions.”
The link with genetics to tackle climate adversity is crucial indeed.
I asked Mr. Emerson which areas in sugarcane farming are being worked on with AI and robots, to which he replied:
“Currently, we are entering our fourth soybean and corn harvest, alongside our first cotton harvest and the first complete sugarcane harvest, which took place last year. Right now, over 280,000 hectares are fully monitored by robots, meaning that these farms are operated by robots working directly in the fields. This has led to numerous success stories across various regions in Brazil and the United States.”
I asked him what will happen next, whether there will be a need for young people to study technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence to work in control centers, and he told me:
“There is a crucial intellectual and educational paradigm that needs to change, not just in Brazil but globally, concerning the nature of labor.
We keep talking a lot about fieldwork, operators, etc., but often, there’s a lack of people to conduct pest surveys because no one wants to work under the sun, so that professional isn’t available.
However, with farms becoming more connected, advanced, and managing data-driven information, agriculture now needs people trained in indicators and decision-making. So, the most needed kind of professional in the field today is people who can analyze data and turn information into better decision-making. In practice, small, medium, and large farms across Brazil have a huge demand for skilled workers.
So, anyone who wants to work in Agriculture, whether in Agronomy, Genetics, Inputs, or Pesticides, can deal with data and information to help farms operate in a much more productive way.
The opportunities available today are significant, both in education and career prospects. There is a notable shortage of skilled and specialized labor in the agricultural sector, leading to enormous demand. I often remark that the need for workers in farming is far greater than in many industries. This creates immense potential for everyone involved.” He concluded.
Indeed, I see a wide range of promising opportunities, as precision technology necessitates a large workforce of specialists dedicated to agricultural development. This represents a unique chance to attract young talent to the field on a global scale.
My best regards and congratulations,Mr. Emerson!
*José Luiz Tejon
PhD in Education Universidad de La Empresa/Uruguay. Master's degree in Art Education and History of Culture - Mackenzie University. Journalist and Publicist - Harvard, MIT and PACE/USA/Insead in France Specialisation Academic Coordinator of Master Science Food & Agribusiness Management at Audencia in Nantes/France and FECAP/Brazil. Managing Partner at Biomarketing and TCA International. Professional Head at Agro Anefac. Writer author and co-author of 37 books. Agro Personality Award 2023/ABAG. Former director of Grupo Estadão, Agroceres and Jacto S/A.
