Global concerns about food security have driven significant progress in the agri-food system, which is undergoing transformative changes through the adoption of emerging technologies. This shift, known as the fourth agricultural revolution or agriculture 4.0, requires the transition from traditional to modern systems to address future environmental and production challenges. However, to fully benefit from agriculture 4.0, it is essential to understand and overcome the barriers to its adoption. In Brazil, this transition is still emerging and marked by uncertainties, with limited understanding of the obstacles involved. Given this scenario, the objective of this research is to analyze the behavioral profile of Brazilian farmers in the adoption of agriculture 4.0 technologies in the agrifood system. A sample composed of 198 Brazilian farmers from the state of Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed regarding their perception of the barriers that hinder the adoption of any or no agriculture 4.0 technology. The perception of importance was measured using the Likert scale. This data set was divided into two groups of farmers: TAF—Technology Adopter Farmer, and NTAF—Non-Technology Adopter Farmer. Kendall Correlation and Analysis of Variance were also performed on the collected data. The study proposes strategies to address the most relevant barriers identified. Although focused on Brazil, the findings reflect common challenges in other regions and offer insights for stakeholders seeking to expand agriculture 4.0 adoption. The results support the development of tailored strategies to promote inclusive access to technology, particularly for marginalized or less-resourced farmers, and guide more assertive decision-making in regions where such technologies are still underutilized.
Most energy used to operate agricultural machines in the field is generated from fossil fuel combustion. The combustion process emits atmospheric pollutants, increasing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this context, this review is to discuss technologies for mitigating diesel engine GHG emissions to advance sustainable development in the agricultural machinery sector. This paper presents strategies and technologies widely adopted by agricultural machinery manufacturers in controlling pollutant emissions during fuel combustion. The findings of this study encompass sustainable alternative technologies, such as selective catalytic reduction, exhaust gas recirculation, diesel particulate filter, and fuels. This study helps reveal the environmental impact of agricultural field operations that generate GHG emissions.
Hailstorms are a major climatic threat to apple production, causing substantial economic losses in orchards worldwide. Anti-hail nets have been increasingly adopted to mitigate this risk, but the scientific literature on their effectiveness and future applications remains scattered, especially considering advances in digital agriculture. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the use of anti-hail nets in apple orchards through a systematic review and explores future perspectives involving digital technologies. A PRISMA-based review was conducted using three databases, revealing information regarding the studied countries, netting colors, and apple varieties, among others. A clear research gap was identified in integrating anti-hail nets with remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This paper also analyzes studies from Vacaria, Brazil, a key apple-producing region and part of the Semear Digital project, highlighting local efforts to use hail netting in commercial orchards. Potential applications of AI algorithms and remote sensing are proposed for hail netting assessment, orchard monitoring, and decision-making support. These technologies can improve predictive modeling, quantify areas, and enhance precision management. Findings suggest combining traditional protective methods with technological innovations to strengthen orchard resilience in regions exposed to extreme weather.
1 June 2018 in Independent Journal of Management & Production
With the growth in the machinery and agricultural implements sector the importance of the area of Product Development Process (PDP) has expanded significantly in the last decades. The surge is due to increased competition among manufacturers, thus requiring high quality products with greater efficiency in their production processes. In addition, the management of the phases that comprise the PDP is considered complex by specialized literature and manufacturing companies. Thus, the objective of the study is to present the main reference models that contextualize the PDP in order to systematically analyze its methodological classifications. In addition, the research seeks to explore the work methodologies currently applied in the PDP of the agricultural machinery and implements manufacturers located in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil. The research adopted the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and the case study as investigation methods, classified as descriptive and comparative, of an exploratory nature. As a result, it was possible to identify a set of reference models that are usually adopted to operationalize the PDP. Research has shown that project support tools are not used by companies, while design and industrial management tools are applied. Finally, it was verified that companies have little knowledge about reference models.
12 September 2018 in Brazilian Journal of Operations & Production Management
During the product development, patents help identify new project opportunities and, if well analyzed, can reveal technical strategies in terms of how countries, companies, and universities link patents and product development. In the context of the agricultural machinery sector there is a complexity in the integration of data from patents with the stages of development conceptions. In this context, the article aims to present how the information obtained from a patent bank can be used for the development of agricultural machinery. As a methodology, the Systematic Bibliographic Review was selected to identify and relate strategies that add value throughout the agricultural machinery project. As a result, research has shown that the use of patent information can assist in the development of agricultural machinery from technical data. In addition, patents are characterized as a valuable source of technological information, as it is inexpensive and capable of feeding a company in its own research activity and in the development of new products. It is concluded that the information from patents, suggested as strategies in the model of agricultural machinery development, allows for managerial and technical decisions aimed at improving products. Finally, the research contributed to fill the information gap between patents and the development of agricultural machinery, a diffusion of data that, if well connected, can promote a competitive differential in companies.