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Key Takeaways
- Regina Hakvoort, a Brazilian agricultural expert, is breaking barriers in the farming sector.
- She is utilizing innovative XAG drone technology to combat the infamous cotton boll weevil.
- By focusing on precision crop management, Regina aims to improve agricultural practices across diverse farming communities.
- Her company, Anáhata, is dedicated to making drone agricultural solutions accessible to various farmers, from large estates to smallholders.
- Support from local agricultural cooperatives has significantly contributed to her company’s rapid success.
Aspirations in Agriculture
For many, the notion of trading a thriving family business for a career in agricultural research could seem imprudent. Yet, in Brazil, Regina Hakvoort has defied expectations as she pioneers the use of drone technology to address agricultural challenges, particularly the battle against the cotton boll weevil. Rather than stepping into her family’s agricultural legacy, Regina has set her sights on fostering connections among farmers from varied regions and cultural backgrounds.
Regina being interviewed about innovative solutions for pest control.
Passion Meets Technology
Regina’s journey began on her family farm in São Paulo, where her passion for agriculture flourished. With an educational foundation from the University of São Paulo, she became a recognized figure in her community for her proactive support in managing pest control and safeguarding crops. Her dedication and expertise earned her an invitation to join a specialized research group focusing on the study of the boll weevil, notorious for its destructive influence on cotton crops.
One of the primary hurdles Regina encountered was the lack of advanced technology for effective pest control, particularly due to Brazil’s national ban on Endosulfan, a highly toxic insecticide. This limitation propelled her to explore the potential of agricultural aviation to tackle these challenges, leading her to the promising capabilities of XAG drones, which can deliver precise spraying solutions with minimal pesticide use.
Regina Hakvoort in action.
Embracing Drone Technology
Large agricultural operations in Brazil often span thousands of hectares, and the conventional method of aerial spraying through helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft can be prohibitively expensive. After completing her training in agricultural aviation, Regina recognized the potential of “low volume spraying” techniques, utilizing small quantities of chemicals to efficiently manage larger areas.
The social benefits of employing drone technology—enhancing crop yields while minimizing chemical use—didn’t go unnoticed by Regina. When offered control of her family’s farm, she made the decisive choice to establish her own company, Anáhata, dedicated to precision crop protection solutions aimed at Brazilian farmers.
Her breakthrough occurred at an agricultural machinery trade show, where she encountered the capabilities of XAG’s farming drones tailored for ultra-low volume spraying. “The rotary atomizers that create fine droplets for variable-rate applications were particularly appealing,” Regina remarked.
Collaborating with Megadrone Brazil.
Catering to Diverse Farming Needs
In pursuit of practical drone applications, Regina rented an XAG agricultural drone from Megadrone Brazil and tested it on a cotton field severely affected by boll weevils. The results were promising; the drone effectively eliminated the pests by autonomously spraying the crops with a minimal amount of pesticides, all controlled effortlessly via smartphone.
As her vision became reality, Regina expanded her fleet to meet the growing demand from various farmers, ranging from large estate owners to smallholders cultivating grapes, citrus, and coffee. Within just a year, her company not only became profitable but also began collaborating with notable agricultural cooperatives, including Cooxupé and Fundercitrus.
Currently, Regina’s venture serves around 15 large-scale farms, managing over 1,100 hectares of crops. “With the combination of agronomic expertise and drone technology, I aim to bridge gaps between farmers from diverse backgrounds, uniting them in the shared goal of producing quality food,” she expressed.
Regina engaging in strategy discussions with a drone pilot.
