During its growth, the sugar cane needs nutrients that help it retain more sugar in its stems. The Guatemalan Sugar Industry uses nutrients that comply with the recommendations and regulations established by national and international organizations and authorities.
The Sugar Industry has regulations and protocols that guarantee that the applications meet their objective without causing negative impacts on the environment and on residents of the areas near the crops.
Prior to the application of nutrients, planning is carried out in which all safety measures are taken to guarantee that the nutrients reach the sugar cane.
The elements that are considered are the amount of nutrients applied according to the area to be harvested, the delimitation of security strips and, in cases close to communities, the leaders and neighbors are informed of the work that the sugar mill will carry out.
Technology helps in precision
Aerial applications are carried out and controlled by experts from the sugar mills, who rely on new technologies to ensure that the nutrients reach the sugar cane directly and safely, such as the use of Global Positioning System (GPS), hydrosensitive cards, helicopters with automatic sprinklers and the use of drones.
The advantage of the drone is the efficiency in the application of the product, which reduces the possibility of it being deviated by the wind. Work has also been done to improve the level of precision, drone capacity, application volume and aircraft with greater flight independence to cover more areas.
The applications are made with precision techniques to avoid impacts on other crops and communities.