Aiba Lab presentes finalists of the open innovation program for sustainability in West Bahia
The portfolio brings together startups with technological solutions designed to address needs and challenges of the region's farmers.
Fifteen startups have been selected by the AIBA LAB open innovation program, created to identify and implement technological solutions in favor of a sustainable soy supply chain in one of Brazil's most productive agricultural regions, Western Bahia. Announced today, December 9, during the AIBA CONECTA Forum - closing event of the third and final cycle of the program created with the collaborative participation of rural producers, students, researchers, the local community and partner institutions - the startups presented solutions that combine innovation and sustainability applicable to the needs of agribusiness in the region, from solutions to control pests and diseases (Agrientech, NCB Sistemas Embarcados, Predativa, Prediza, Revella and Usina Biológica) to education (Já Compre) and engagement in sustainable practices (Farm Brasil; Gávea; MayEasyFarm) , from seed planting (Grandel) to soil management and fertility (Solusolo) and water use efficiency (Icrop, Irricontrol, Zeus Agritech).
Fruit of a partnership between Senai Cimatec, the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (AIBA) and the Land Innovation Fund, AIBA LAB was set up to help lay an innovation pathway to sustainability with the collaborative participation of farmers, students, researchers, the local community and partner institutions. Organized in three cycles - HACKATHON, NEXT GENERATION and AIBA CONECTA – carried out during the second semester of 2021, AIBA LAB attracted more than 80 participants, with 110 hours of business mentoring and 14 online meetings with experts and participants to chart and comprehend the demands, challenges and opportunities of sustainable agricultural development in Western Bahia.
Find more information about AIBA LAB on its website: www.aibalab.org.br
WHO ARE THE STARTUPS?
Startups selected by Aiba Conecta
AGRIENTECH: an intelligent technology solution able to identify pests and plant diseases in soy fields with timely, accurate and geolocated information, reducing pesticide consumption and greenhouse gas impacts, while ensuring environmental sustainability.
FARM BRASIL: an integrated technology solution for the various areas of a farm, with a focus on decision making, productivity gains, operational cost reduction and environmental impact, contributing to a more sustainable production chain.
GAVEA: Brazil's first digital commodities exchange, uses blockchain technology and socio-environmental checks to ensure that no traded product comes from deforested areas or was produced in illegal working conditions.
GRANDEL: portable artificial intelligence solutions for 30-second analyses of soil, leaves, and grains, focused on increasing the sustainability of soy, maize, and cotton.
ICROP: water resources management solution that helps reduce water use by up to 20% and energy use by 20 to 30%.
IRRICONTROL: solution for automating the irrigation process in remote areas lacking communication infrastructure, to reduce water waste and promote sustainability in the field.
JÁ ENTENDI: education application with video classes on digital agriculture for operators.
MY EASY FARM: solution that combines planning and operations information for more efficient and sustainable agricultural management.
NCB SISTEMAS EMBARCADOS: a biohub for precise, traceable releases of biological agents with drones, avoiding waste and ensuring transparent operations.
PREDATIVA: compact, easy-to-handle equipment to produce and apply macrobiological controls via drones, to reduce costs, environmental impacts, and risks to farmers.
PREDIZA: artificial intelligence solution to forecast disease, which works together with a field notebook to make management and irrigation recommendations for each farm's microclimate.
REVELLA: provides solutions for more efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides, with higher yields and profits for farmers.
SOLUSOLO: soil management and fertility system developed with an organic product, bioactivated and produced with Japanese technology to recover soils degraded by intensive cropping and agrochemicals.
USINA BIOLÓGICA: solution for pest and disease control with macrobiological biopesticides (insect parasitoids and predators).
ZEUS AGROTECH: rain gauge solution to gather helpful data for efficient and sustainable farm management.
The Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (AIBA) has been active for 30 years in agribusiness in Bahia, representing more than 1,300 farmers and agribusiness-related companies in an area of more than 1.8 million hectares of soybeans in a total productive area of 2.6 million hectares, alongside approximately 4.5 million hectares of preserved native vegetation in 24 municipalities in western Bahia. AIBA's mission is to promote the development of agribusiness in the state of Bahia in an integrated, sustainable and socially responsible manner.
ABOUT THE LAND INNOVATION FUND:
The Land Innovation Fund works with strategic partners in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay through funding, technical assistance and partnerships to ensure that soy used in the region is produced responsibly. The Land Innovation Fund supports innovations that increase yields through sustainable practices, mechanisms and approaches that encourage farmers to conserve and restore native forests and vegetation, and by mobilizing networks and resources to transform the soy supply chain.
SENAI CIMATEC is SENAI's most modern facility, through which it provides advanced technological support for research, development, and innovation, in addition to educational activities at all levels of training. Its purpose is to support the economic development of Brazilian industry and other organizations that can benefit from the technologies developed. The institution also has an accelerator and incubator that play important roles in promoting entrepreneurship and connections with startups.