Tecnología agrícola: Seminario web sobre la reducción del uso de insumos químicos para la protección de cultivos
9 de julio de 2026 En una reciente AgriBusiness Global LIVE! webinar about how ag tech can help reduce chemical crop inputs, Robert Finger, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy, ETH Zurich/ Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, discussed the broader market implications of ag technologies reducing synthetic product use, evolving customer expectations, and the future of food production.
In the Q+A segment, Finger answered attendees’ questions about grower mindsets, which agricultural sectors are most prepared to adopt precision crop protection technologies, and more.
Q: How do you see farmer mindset changing? For example, if a farmer has a pest attacking his crop and he can’t afford the damage and is not prepared to take a chance using softer products, how do we as an industry communicate these changes?
Robert Finger: You raise a crucial point. Aspects such as risk, risk perception, and risk preference all influence pest management decisions. Steps toward more sustainable pest management and new technologies are often associated with a higher perceived risk, which may hinder their adoption.
Q: Which farming sectors are most prepared to adopt precision crop protection technologies, and why?
RF: Today, we observe significant differences in the adoption of precision crop protection technologies between different countries. Firstly, there are large differences between countries (for example, uptake is higher in the U.S. than in Switzerland). Secondly, there are large differences between crops (for example, uptake is higher for vegetables than arable crops). Thirdly, a gradient exists across farms, with larger farms often being better suited to using technology. Such heterogeneity is likely to persist in the future. However, addressing these disparities could be an important policy task.
Q: Can you talk more about the role AI and data analytics will play in the future of crop protection formulation and application?
RF: Very good point. Ultimately, AI is present in almost all solutions, whether this relates to the identification of weeds, digital twins or a new form of extension. Therefore, as in all other economic sectors and areas of life, AI will also be crucial for the future of crop protection. While this brings potential benefits, it also brings risks and costs. These need to be balanced and governed well.
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