Convergia and Datacake Collaborate in Precision Agriculture for Avocado Crops in Caral City, Peru

Recognizing the technology gap that existed in Peru’s agricultural sector, Convergia and its Technology and Market Partners set out to provide agricultural businesses, with advanced crop management solutions. Peru Agricultural companies have limited access to such solutions, often with manual and inefficient data collection processes hindering growth. Importantly the lack of internet connectivity in rural areas required alternative solutions.

Convergia assembled precision agriculture solutions based on technology and market partner requirement for avocado fields. This ground-breaking solution provided growers with critical data to improve crop management, reduce losses due to adverse weather conditions, infectious pests, and ultimately increase return on investment.

The implementation process proved surprisingly efficient, taking less time than expected. Sensors were strategically placed in the fields while the gateway was pre-configured. These sensors seamlessly communicated with the gateway, which connected to the cloud via a 4G connection. Using Datacake’s innovative dashboards, Convergia enabled visualisation and analysis of the collected data. This project was carried out by Convergia in collaboration with Datacake and their valued market partner Zeit, a software development company with extensive experience in this field.

The impact of this IoT-based system on crop management has been revolutionary. Over the three-year growing season for the avocado orchards, plantation managers remotely monitored key parameters such as humidity, temperature, conductivity and soil pH at 20-minute intervals. Sensors were strategically placed at various depths, from the surface to below the roots of the plants.

By implementing Convergia’s solution, the client was able to automate data collection and closely monitor soil moisture, pH and conductivity. The results were tangible, with improved efficiency in managing water and energy consumption leading to an estimated 30% saving in both resources. While the full impact on crop production and quality would take more time, the potential for superior crop quality and organic production through precise fertiliser application was clear. Convergia also highlighted the value of emerging computer vision solutions, such as counting and analysing the colour of blueberries to determine quality levels.

Convergia’s successful collaboration with Datacake and its market partner, Zeit, has effectively bridged the technology gap that exists in Peru’s agricultural sector. By providing a comprehensive and integrated solution, Convergia has empowered agricultural companies and added significant value to their operations. The benefits of IoT sensor technology in precision agriculture are now undeniable, as Convergia’s solution has revolutionised crop management, promoted resource efficiency and ushered in a new era of sustainable agriculture.