Agricultura de precisão aplicada em pequenas propriedades rurais: uso racional da água e manejo do solo

Abstract

This work consists of a literature review on the use of precision agriculture in the production of vegetables and legumes on small rural properties, aiming to map available technologies, identify gaps in production processes, and discuss their potential to promote sustainable rural development and food security with a focus on the rational use of water. The text addresses the current challenges of agriculture, marked by growing urbanization, social inequality, and climate change, which intensify pressure on food production amid water scarcity and environmental demands for the rational use of this vital resource. It highlights the importance of food security in light of the projected population growth by 2050, and the strategic role of rural areas dominated by smallholder farms, where the traditional model based on intensive monocultures exacerbates environmental impacts such as soil erosion, salinization, and greenhouse gas emissions. Low water-use efficiency—with only a small portion of production irrigated by formal systems and high water deficits in rainfed areas—reinforces structural limitations that encourage rural exodus and social vulnerability. In this context, precision agriculture on small scales emerges as a technological and sustainable alternative, integrating sensors, information systems, and advanced management practices to enhance water and input efficiency, boost productivity, and support population retention in rural areas.