Brazil's Pesticide Surge vs. Precision Farming

Why is Brazil using more pesticides — but not getting proportionally more productive?

Brazil's pesticide application more than doubled between 2010 and 2023, rising from 5.85 kg per hectare to 12.63 kg/ha — a 115.9% increase, according to FAO data released in July 2024. Over the same period, average yields for soy and maize grew by roughly 43%, from about 2.8 tonnes per hectare to around 4 tonnes per hectare, according to Embrapa.

How big is the scale of pesticide use in Brazil today?

A key indicator is the Potential Area Treated (PAT), calculated by multiplying cultivated area by the number of applications. In 2025, PAT exceeded 2.6 billion hectares — a 7.6% rise over 2024, which had itself grown 12.2% over 2023, according to a Kynetec Brasil survey for industry body Sindiveg.

Why does tropical agriculture demand so many inputs?

Experts point to Brazil's tropical conditions, where high biological pressure persists almost year-round. Unlike temperate regions where harsh winters naturally reduce pest and disease cycles, Brazilian crops face longer and more frequent phytosanitary pressures — requiring more frequent protection applications.

What crops use the most pesticides?

Soy led in 2025 with 55% of all treated area nationwide, followed by maize at 18% and cotton at 7%. Industry analysts note that without pesticides, potential soy losses could range between 30% and 50%.

What are the health and environmental concerns?

Institutions such as Fiocruz and Abrasco have long criticised indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, especially those banned in Europe. In 2025, Abrasco published a study focusing on links between pesticide exposure and infertility, damage to conception, pregnancy, and fetal development, as well as post-birth consequences.

What technology can reduce pesticide dependence?

Embrapa Meio Ambiente researcher Robson Barizon argues the answer lies in applying inputs more precisely and in a targeted way — using sensors on sprayers, drones, satellites, climate models, bioinputs, and precision agriculture. Herbicides, the most widely used category, are applied across the entire crop cycle from soil preparation to pre-harvest, making them the prime candidate for precision-application gains.