TYLL advocates for creating a system that integrates all the technology related to data generated in agribusiness internationally, a topic discussed at events in the US, Brazil, and Argentina.
São Paulo, Brazil – Known as the venture capital manager with the greatest regional presence in Latin America, The Yield Lab Latam (TYLL) always strives to stay ahead of its time in discussions about the future of global agrifoodtech. This year, it has been focusing on the broad topic of GEOSPATIAL in search of better integration of data generated by various tools applied to agribusiness, to drive future technological adoption in the sector.
Geospatial involves using geographic and spatial data for analysis and problem-solving. In agriculture, this translates into a series of applications that can transform how growers manage their farms and crops. From soil and crop monitoring to irrigation optimization and land use planning, geospatial offers powerful tools to increase agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
Despite the growth of new technologies in agribusiness, thousands of existing platforms today do not communicate with each other, resulting in a significant amount of data input work by users and, in many cases, little efficiency, causing the sector’s technological adoption to be reconsidered in the future.
“Today, we have a lot of technology, but we also have many challenges. The disintegration of platforms can hinder future technological adoption. It is urgent to discuss geospatial in agribusiness to continue growing and developing. We must bring together all the stakeholders involved in this issue and discuss an international model. The convergence of information must be done orderly,” says Tomás Peña, Managing Director of The Yield Lab Latam, responsible for introducing the theme to the venture capital manager.
Within TYLL, a team has been created with professionals dedicated to studying and researching the topic. Stakeholders from the global ecosystem have been consulted, ranging from research centers like the Danforth Center and Ecosystem Builders to startups from various countries, large corporations such as Bimbo, and associations such as Grupo RIA, which brings together rural producers who work with technologies. These stakeholders generate and utilize data, aiming to map the main challenges and needs of the sector.
On April 29, TYLL gathered prominent leaders in geospatial issues in Saint Louis, USA, where the topic was discussed with 24 stakeholders from five countries (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and the USA). In the workshop, participants worked to understand the status, challenges, and opportunities of geospatial in these countries. They also discussed the key actions needed to address the main gaps in various ecosystems, governance issues, and institutional roles to advance the issue.
The second meeting will be held in São José dos Campos on June 20, at the Technological Innovation Park, Brazil’s Center for agricultural geospatial. Around 50 members are expected to participate, and the topic to be developed will be “First steps to coordinate regional strategies for promoting geospatial in agriculture.”
The third meeting will take place within the framework of the Aapresid Congress. This workshop aims to deepen the “Next steps to promote geospatial in agriculture through the application of blockchain, API integration, artificial intelligence, and other GIS technologies.” This workshop will seek to advance the progress made, promoting collaboration and continuous innovation in using geospatial technologies to address current and future challenges in agri-food systems in the region.
The Aapresid event is scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentina, from August 7 to 9. On the 8th, TYLL will work with the stakeholders on the Geospatial topic, consolidating the discussions held at the two previous events.
TYLL recognizes that the path to creating a universal data integration system is long. Challenges include data security and privacy, definitions and standardizations between countries, and protocol development. Still, the discussion is necessary for the adoption of technologies to be a promising path for the future of global agriculture.
About The Yield Lab Latam
Yield Lab Latam is the agrifoodtech venture capital manager with the largest presence and experience across Latin America. Founded in 2017, it has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, with teams that work across the entire spectrum of innovation in food and agriculture, from farm to table.
The firm invests in high-potential early-stage startups based in Latin America that develop solutions for the multiple challenges in the agri-food industry. The firm also runs support programs for portfolio companies, including governance, talent, commercial strategy, escalation, and fundraising.