System Combining Drones and Artificial Intelligence to Monitor and Control Leaf-Cutting Ants
Brazil
Operation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minas Gerais Agricultural Institute and the Civil Police of Boa Esperança, State of Minas Gerais, dismantled an underground scheme for the import, manufacture and sale of pesticides, resulting in the seizure of 17 tonnes of irregular products valued at over US$ 574 thousand. The inspection identified restricted-use substances being handled and repackaged without sanitary or technical requirements, in addition to fraudulent labels. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Anvisa published the voluntary withdrawal requests of toxicological evaluation of chlorothalonil (Cropchem) and technical thiodicarb (UPL). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 476 from 02/05/2026, Anvisa)
The Brazilian Association of Plant Nutrition Technology Industries announced the new composition of its Deliberative and Advisory-Fiscal Councils for the 2026/2027 term, elected during the General Assembly. Roberto Levrero will chair the Deliberative Council, with Gustavo Branco as vice-chair, strengthening institutional governance and the representation of the fertilizer, biologicals and plant nutrition technology sector. (Abisolo)
Ministry of Agriculture has published the approval of 45 formulated pesticides. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 6 from 02/06/2026, Ministry of agriculture)
Diego Vilarinho is the new Director of Field Operations at LongPing High Tech Biotecnologia. (LongPing High-Tech)
Government of the State of Pernambuco is coordinating an emergency project to distribute 36 thousand tonnes of fertilizers to the sugar-ethanol sector, aiming to mitigate losses estimated at US$ 96 million caused by USA tariff barriers and crop failures. The proposal, supported by the Sugarcane Suppliers Association, seeks to assist around 10 thousand farmers and preserve approximately 50 thousand jobs while sustaining yields for the next harvest. Implementation depends on approval by the State’s Legislative Assembly. (Sindaçúcar-PE)
The Ministry of Agriculture published the withdrawal of 9 pesticide registration applications at the request of the registrant companies and the cancellation of 6 pesticide registrations. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 7 from 02/05/2026, Ministry of agriculture)
ICL has started operations at a new distribution center in Paulínia, State of São Paulo, expanding its logistics network to 11 facilities in Brazil. The strategy aims to increase market reach, shorten delivery times and improve service levels, placing about 90% of customers within a three-day supply range. (ICL)
Researchers from Federal University of Lavras identified 12 new fungal species in the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, now preserved in the institution’s genetic bank for future applications. The microorganisms show strong potential for the development of bioinputs, highlighted by fungi isolated from coffee soils with high chitinase production, an enzyme capable of replacing polluting chemical processes in pest control. (UFLA)
Anvisa published the rejection of the toxicological evaluation of technical epyrifenacil pesticide from Sumitomo. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 478 from 02/05/2026, Anvisa)
Bill under review in Brazil’s Lower House of Congress proposes automatic registration of fertilizers and agricultural inputs already certified by authorities in BRICS countries, with a deadline of up to 15 days for issuance. The measure aims to reduce production costs and may allow automatic commercialization if the deadline is not met; the proposal still requires approval by both Houses of Congress. (Agência Câmara de Notícias)
Agricultural production costs are expected to remain high in 2026, mainly pressured by rising fertilizer prices driven by global supply, demand, and geopolitical factors. Analysts note fertilizers account for a significant share of costs, around one-third in soybean production, and higher input prices reduce margins and influence farmers’ purchasing decisions. (StoneX Consultoria; Rabobank)
In compliance with court decisions, Anvisa has approved toxicological evaluation of bifenthrin (Agrocare); diflubenzuron + mesotrione (Biorisk); and glufosinate-ammonium (Somax). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 482-485 from 02/05/2026, Anvisa)
Brazil’s fertilizer imports fell 12.7% in November 2025, reflecting adjustments in purchasing pace and market conditions. The decline comes amid international volatility and shifting demand, with direct impacts on supply and crop planning. (ANDA)
Government created a working group to monitor and mediate conflicts related to pesticide use in Guarani and Kaiowá Indigenous lands in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The committee has 180 days to propose measures, including restrictions on aerial spraying, monitoring of irregularities and policies to protect food security in affected communities. (Federal Government)
Research identified economically inefficient overuse of crop protection products in more than 80% of Brazilian municipalities, with the highest incidence in the South and Center-West regions, where about 90% of municipalities show this pattern. The analysis highlights economic and environmental impacts and points to the need for public policies to promote more efficient and sustainable use. The information is presented by researchers José Féres of the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Loredany Rodrigues of the Federal University of Viçosa. Available at: https://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/server/api/core/bitstreams/033dff15-053d-4fb8-84b4-f4dcd820aa35/content. (IPEA; UFV)
Ministry of Agriculture has published 96 request of chemical and biologicals pesticides. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 5 from 01/30/26, MAPA)
A decade-long partnership between Embrapa Soja and the Rural Development Institute of the State of Paraná has validated that soybean co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum bacteria increases average yields by 8.33%, reaching 3,916 kg/ha in the 2024/2025 harvest. Tested across Technological Reference Units (URTs) in various regions of the state, the technology enhances Biological Nitrogen Fixation, resulting in more abundant and earlier root nodulation. Beyond outperforming state and national yield averages, the practice eliminates the need for costly nitrogen fertilizers, combining economic profitability with environmental sustainability. Currently, 64% of farmers in the state use inoculants, with 28% already adopting the co-inoculation strategy. (Embrapa Soja)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has confirmed the detection of the invasive plant Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) in São José do Rio Preto, State of São Paulo, marking the first occurrence of this pest outside the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Due to its high aggressiveness and resistance to multiple herbicide mechanisms of action, the affected property has been quarantined, and the soybean harvest is conditioned upon the total elimination of the invasive species to prevent dispersal via machinery or seeds. This action follows the guidelines of the National Prevention and Control Program to contain the spread of this quarantine pest, which threatens to significantly reduce local agricultural productivity. (Ministry of Agriculture)
Latin América
FMC released it is exploring strategic alternatives, “including, but not limited to the sale of the company,” amid debt of about US$ 4 billion and competitive pressure in its core portfolio, with particular impact in Latin America where elevated competition affected volumes. The company stated it plans to reduce US$ 1 billion of debt and strengthen its balance sheet, while pursuing growth through new active ingredients and market expansion, including Brazil. (FMC Corporation)
Argentine agtech DeepAgro raised US$ 2 million in a new funding round to expand its SprAI technology, an AI-based selective spraying system capable of reducing herbicide use by up to 90%. (DeepAgro)
The National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality of Argentina has declared a phytosanitary emergency on Martín García Island, Buenos Aires province, following the detection of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). The measure, valid until June of 2027, establishes a rigorous contingency plan to contain the pest’s spread and protect local palms. It is mandatory to report any suspected sightings to the agency and specific phytosanitary treatments are authorized to eradicate the insect. (Senasa)
The Supreme Court of Justice suspended partially ordinances regulating agrochemical uses in the municipalities of Tandil and Rauch, Buenos Aires Province, in Argentina, following a complaint over potential environmental impacts in the Chapaleofú river basin. The ruling revived debate over the lack of unified criteria: currently, 86 of 135 municipalities have their own rules, while a provincial bill moves forward seeking to harmonize standards and establish common safety and sustainability parameters. (Suprema Corte de Justicia)
Argentina’s fertilizer market is operating under unfavourable input-output ratios, with a restrictive financial environment due to export taxes and high interest rates. Between Jan. 22 and 29, urea FCA rose from US$ 521 to US$ 533/t (+2%), while MAP FCA increased from US$ 865 to US$ 870/t (+1%). Globally, tight supply in China and Iran keeps markets firm, supporting volatility and encouraging forward purchasing. (IF Ingeniería en Fertilizantes)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Colombia reiterated support for the construction of a fertilizer plant in northern Huila, seen as strategic to strengthen food security and leverage the region’s agromineral potential, particularly in phosphates. The project aims to produce fertilizers and soil amendments through an integrated industrial complex, focusing on improving the competitiveness of the productive sector. (Ministry of Agriculture)
In Costa Rica, an initiative led by the State Distance University is seeking to reduce agrochemical use by more than 80% by training farmers to produce on-farm bioinputs from organic residues and beneficial microorganisms. The program has trained more than 2,500 farmers nationwide, strengthening soil health, lowering costs and enabling partial substitution of synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products. According to researcher Allan Chavarría Chang, “almost every small farm is a potential biofactory”, as beneficial microorganisms increase nutrient availability in the soil and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. (UNED)
The Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama installed the country’s second biobed (a bioremediation system designed to degrade pesticide residues) located in Chiriquí, as part of a technical cooperation initiative with Uruguay to promote the sustainable management of pesticide waste. The technology consists of an isolated system containing microorganisms that safely degrade pesticides. (MIDA)
Researchers from the Technological University of Uruguay are developing, in Cerro Largo, a system combining drones and artificial intelligence to monitor and control leaf-cutting ants with reduced reliance on agrochemicals. The project aims to lower environmental impacts, improve productive efficiency and enable precise geolocated management of one of the main pests affecting the agroforestry sector. (UTEC)
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