Embrapa Meio Ambiente developed an Electrostatic Sprayer, equipment intended to reduce the application of pesticides on crops and increase the effectiveness of the application. The sprayer is portable and low-cost, runs on a battery, and has a simple technology that can help small producers.
Electrostatic spraying allows approximately 70% of the pesticide applied to stay fixed on the plant, ensuring better use of the product compared with applying pesticides with conventional sprayers, and reducing the number of applications on crops.
In the municipality of Caxias do Sul, vegetable producer Luís Henrique Mozoqui reported that adopting the equipment led to a 70% reduction in the volume of pesticides applied in his garden, and also brings the benefit of saving water and time.
At the moment, only 50 producers have acquired the electrostatic sprayer. However, for those who cannot afford to invest R$ 1,800.00 in the equipment, Embrapa has just developed an Electrostatic Kit, which can be adapted to any sprayer and offers the same functionalities and benefits as the electrostatic sprayer. The Electrostatic Kit has not yet entered the commercial manufacturing phase, but its cost is estimated at around R$ 300.00.
The development of the Electrostatic Sprayer and the Electrostatic Kit is seen as a way of contributing to the environment and to the health of those who consume the products, and it can generate savings for farmers who choose to use this equipment.
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Reviewed by Diana Vilas Boas Souto AleixoPublished by Leonardo Felipe Franchi
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