Report: Costa Rica Advances in Agritech with Drones, Precision Agriculture, and Blockchain Solutions

A recent report by Procomer, titled Mapping the Agritech Service Offerings in Costa Rica, highlights the country’s progress in integrating advanced technologies into its agricultural sector. Presented at the Agrotransformación 2024 event before an audience of over 500 industry leaders, the study emphasizes the increasing use of innovations such as smart irrigation management, precision agriculture, drones, and blockchain. These technologies are beginning to transform traditional farming into a more efficient and sustainable model.

While positioning Costa Rica as an emerging player in the region, the report notes that the country is still in the process of consolidating its leadership in implementing these technologies. Agritech advancements are seen as crucial to addressing global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity, though barriers such as access to financing, training, and technical support remain.

Based on a survey of 22 companies in the sector, the report identifies specific examples of Agritech already being adopted in the country. Agricultural drones are being used for crop monitoring and the precise application of inputs, while precision agriculture solutions help optimize water and fertilizer use. Blockchain technology is also being implemented to enhance traceability and transparency in agricultural value chains. Notably, the most prevalent technologies in Costa Rica include drones (23%), biotechnology (18%), and connectivity technology (9%).

The report underlines Costa Rica’s potential to become a regional and global reference in Agritech solutions. Guillermo Zúñiga, Procomer’s Director of Commercial Intelligence, affirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting agricultural entrepreneurs in adopting these innovations and leveraging international market opportunities.

The adoption of these technologies is seen as a means to optimize resource use, reduce environmental impact, and improve production efficiency. These efforts align with Costa Rica’s sustainability goals, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and advance towards greener, more efficient farming practices in line with the country’s decarbonization commitments. The study also highlights the demand for specialized talent, with 29% of companies requiring professionals in agricultural sciences, 20% in software engineering, and 9% in electronic engineering.

Costa Rica’s competitiveness against countries like the United States, Israel, Brazil, and Argentina depends on its ability to accelerate technology adoption. Adapting international best practices is viewed as essential for positioning the country as a leader in sustainable agriculture in Latin America.