34 STiR tea & coffee industry international / Issue 6, 2015 (December/January)
Colors represent different yields per acre. The map shows exactly where the farm
strategy is working and where improvements in productivity are needed.
Leaf samples indicate plant health
and soil analysis reveals the
availability of nutrients for the trees.
level of organic material. A field sample is
then taken to confirm results. It takes two
employees an average of three weeks to
assess 1,000 hectares, explains Lopes.
A huge amount of data is collected
on plant nutrition, production levels,
pruning details and the space between
plants.
"This work is done only once be-
cause the soil texture will not change
with time," according to Lopes. A survey
costs about $13.30 (R$50) per hectare.
The lab analysis adds another $15.95
(R$60) per hectare.
Application
Farmers then determine which fertilizer
is needed and how much to apply per
hectare and whether soil correction is
needed before introducing fertilizers in
the field. "If the pH is not favorable, for
example, the field will not absorb the
needed nutrition," notes Lopes.
Once the inputs are decided the trac-
tor and its trailer are guided by a global
positioning system mounted in the cab.
Production levels and nutritional
needs vary with each crop making it nec-
essary to repeat this step ever year at a
cost of $11 (R$45) per hectare.
