Stories that shape the future of agriculture

The agro-industrial sector has many figures that play a key role in production and in the search for efficiency. It is very common for a company to hire a crop specialist consultant, an irrigation consultant, an agro-environmental consultant, a variety consultant, an agro-chemical consultant, … but it is very difficult to find a company that has a technology consultant.

On many occasions, I have met with great crop professionals, experts who have been working in a crop for years and whose knowledge of it is admirable, but when it comes to advising on technology, you realize that their knowledge is very basic or limited to repeating what they heard from a salesperson in some meeting.

Just as we differentiate between different types of advisors, we must differentiate and value the role of the new technologies advisor. This profile will grow and be in high demand to avoid wasting resources and time on technologies that are not yet mature for the sector. They will help us adapt our companies, which may still not be ready for technology.

When a company is not properly advised, it faces the following problems:

1. Purchase expectations without knowing either the limitations or the potential of the tool.

On several occasions, I have encountered companies that bought based on what they heard, but without having real knowledge of the technology. When they do not obtain what they expected in the first weeks, they end up concluding that it does not work. They do not use the service, frustration is generated, and there is distrust towards this type of technology, and the company does not invest again in innovation. With a technology consultant, they will warn of both the potential and the limitations and will plan quantifiable and concrete objectives.

2. Does your consultant really have technological knowledge?

Often, companies rely on the advice of crop experts, with many years of experience in a type of crop, but without technological knowledge. In the absence of knowledge, it is always advisable to doubt. This can lead to companies delaying the adoption of new technologies because their expert does not master these aspects. It is ideal to have both a crop expert and a technology expert.

3. Technology without training is a waste of money.

Every new technology has a mandatory learning curve. From the moment it is acquired until it becomes profitable, there is a time lapse that depends on the training of the staff.

This time can be reduced if accompanied by intentional training. As a company, we believe that acquiring our services, if not accompanied by the correct training, will not provide great added value.

Aaron G. De Bernardis
BDD NAX Solutions