Berkel en Rodenrijs-based Koppert Biological Systems, which specialises in biological crop protection, is acquiring Geocom. This Brazilian company supplies drones for the application of biological pesticides in an agricultural sector.
Geocom offers all kinds of drone-based solutions for the agricultural sector. These include solutions for applying biological control agents. One example is tichogramma, the world's smallest insects successfully used in various parts of the world for biological pest control. Other examples are Telenomus podisi for the protection of soybeans, among others, and Cotesia flavipes insects, deployed for the protection of sugarcane, among others.
Monitoring and digital models
However, the company's drones can also be used for a variety of other agricultural purposes. These include creating digital models of fields and other terrain, or mapping erosion or water flows. The drones can also visualise any problems during seeding from the air.
Geocom's solutions match Koppert Biological Systems' portfolio. This Berkel-based company provides solutions that improve crop health, resilience and prodcutivity. The company's solutions include pest and disease control, pollination, increasing crop resilience, monitoring and biological seed treatment.
Nunatec Drone
Koppert Biological Systems is itself active with drones, by the way. For instance, the company has developed the Nanutec Drone to spread biological organisms over agricultural areas. The drone is suitable for various biological products, which can be spread over 8 hectares in an hour. The drone features an in-house developed release system. It carries loads of up to 13 litres. The company, in collaboration with the company UAV-IQ, also supplies pilots who can pilot these drones.
The Nunatec Drone will initially be available in the United States (US), where it has been tested. In time, the drone will also become available in other countries.
Giving precision agriculture a boost
With the help of Geocom, Koppert Biological Systems aims to boost precision agriculture. According to the company, the technology is crucial for bringing biological crop protection products to the field. Martin Koppert, Director Agri at Koppert Biological Systems, said: "The Geocom brand is synonymous with high-tech developments. The acquisition in Brazil is a strategic decision that offers benefits to the entire company by sharing experiences and technologies with other subsidiaries worldwide."
The reason for this acquisition is the rapid change that global agriculture is currently undergoing. Martin Koppert explains: "We are constantly investing in R&D and new technologies so that we can guarantee our customers the highest quality and service. With this move, we want to introduce precision farming technologies into organic crop protection, so that worldwide agriculture can benefit from this in the future."
Expanding portfolio with monitoring and application
Koppert plans to use Geocom's portfolio to offer monitoring and application technologies in addition to biological products. Gustavo Herrmann of Koppert Brazil explains, "We saw a need to complement the quality and efficiency of our products with a more specialised application to ensure optimal performance of biological crop protection in the field," adds industrial director Danilo Pedrazzoli of Koppert Brazil.
Antonio Donizeti de Oliveira and Gláucio Carrit Antiga, founders of Geocom, will remain involved with the company as consultants. "For us, this acquisition is not only a milestone in the history of this company, but also a source of great pride. Over the course of its existence, Geocom has become the market leader in its segment within digital agriculture, and that level can now be continued under Koppert's leadership."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
