Through information solutions based on the use of satellite photos, the application of classification models and the implementation of machine learning algorithms, it is possible to optimize the management of large plantations and minimize the risks faced by crops that affect profitability per hectare planted.
The growing availability of data that exists today is leading companies to seek new ways and tools to take advantage of this huge wave of information that is being generated in different business sectors.
Betting on the latest technology projects, agriculture 4.0 and seeking alternative products derived from sugarcane so as not to depend on international prices, are some of the lines of action on which the Guatemalan sugar sector will focus in the coming years.
Although sugar prices in the international market have improved between October 2020 and April 2021, in previous years there was a downward trend that pressured mills to explore new market opportunities for sugarcane-derived products.
Some of the technological tools that will be used in the coming years to increase agricultural productivity include the use of devices connected to the Internet that can create self-regulating microclimates in greenhouses and crop monitoring through aerial images.
Business Intelligence solutions used by agricultural companies have the ability to transform maps and images into structured data that can be used for decision making.
Anticipating the effects of climate on crops and mitigating their impact is one of the benefits of using techniques to manage large volumes of information.
The agricultural industry is no stranger to the new reality focused on the analysis of large volumes of information and making business decisions based on data.
Just as in the industrial sector the analysis of large volumes of information can minimize costs and improve the performance of a production process, in agriculture the use of these tools allows, among other things, know exactly when a crop has reached its maximum level of hydration.
The recent fiscal reform, changes in social charges in Nicaragua and low international prices are affecting the competitiveness of the sector.
At the end of February 2019, in the midst of the country's political and economic crisis, the National Assembly approved a tax reform that increases the income tax of large taxpayers from 1% to 3%.
During the first half of 2018, purchases by countries in the region reached $494 million, 12% more than imports during the same period the previous year.
Figures from the information system of the Central American Fertilizer Market, from the Trade Intelligence Area at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Between February 2016 and March 2018, the average price of palm oil exports from Central America registered an increase of 20%.
Figures from the information system on the Palm Oil Market and its Fractions in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In Nicaragua, a company dedicated to the production of passion fruit which planned to invest $20 million in the coming years, reported that last weekend armed groups invaded their land.
The Swiss origin company, Chimaco S.A., reported that the demo facility located at kilometer 124.5 of the highway between Chinandega and León was taken over by armed groups who prevented investors from entering.
The average price per kilo of fertilizers imported by the Central American countries dropped from $0.54 in January 2012 to $0.27 in March 2018, registering a 50% drop.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Fertilizer Market, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
The twenty-five productive properties that have been invaded since the crisis began in Nicaragua together make up more than 28 million square meters of land, of which 43% correspond to areas used for agricultural crops and another 44% to livestock production.
According to data from the Union of Agricultural Producers of Nicaragua (Upanic), 33% of the affected properties have an area greater than 100 manzanas, 23% are land measuring between 50 to 99 manzanas and 46% have an area of less than 50 manzanas.
The union of agricultural producers reports that at least ten private farms in Rivas, Matagalpa, Chinandega and Managua have been taken over by criminals.
In a statement, the Union of Agricultural Producers of Nicaragua denounced that it is registering an "... unchecked increase of invasions of farms" belonging to its members, in different zones in the country.
From July 30 to August 1, a business meeting will take place between business leaders in the region and Chilean companies from the forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and seafood sectors.
From a press release by ProChile:
The event will be held in Guatemala City, between July 30 and August 1, and will bring together about 120 buyers from all over the region.In total, there will be 60 places for Chilean entrepreneurs in the forestry and agricultural sector, industry-manufactures and seafood.
Although businessmen in the sector claim to have enough supplies to meet demand in the agricultural cycle, the crisis in Nicaragua is causing problems in the transportation of goods.
Distributors of agrochemicals report that due to the political crisis and the multiple closures and demonstrations on roads in the country, the main challenge they face is the transporting products to different areas of the country.
At the agro-food fair to be held in San Pedro Sula, more than 3,000 people are expected to take part and it is thought that $50 million will be raised in 2,000 business appointments.
The Agromercados fair, which will take place on May 17 and 18 in San Pedro Sula, will include the participation of 300 exhibiting companies and another 500 visitors to the event.