Integrating Management and Digital Tools to Reduce Waste in Plant Protection Process

Abstract

The search for higher efficiency in agribusiness supports the adoption of digital tools and Lean Production principles in agricultural spraying, a crucial operation for crops. Spraying is essential to ensure yield, quality, cost efficiency, and environmental protection. This study analyzed operational data from self-propelled sprayers in soybean and corn fields, classifying hours, calculating efficiencies, and applying statistical process control. Efficiencies were investigated by combining Lean Production principles with CAN-based digital monitoring, which enabled the identification of non-value-adding activities and supported the real-time management of spraying operations. The results showed that productive time accounted for 41.2% of total recorded hours, corresponding to effective operation and auxiliary tasks directly associated with the execution of spraying activities. A high proportion of unrecorded hours (21.2%) was also observed, reflecting discrepancies between administrative work schedules and machine-logged data. Additionally, coefficients of variation for operational speed and fuel consumption were 12.1% and 24.0%, respectively. Correcting special causes increased work capacity (4.9%) and reduced fuel consumption (0.9%). Economic simulations, based on efficiencies, operating parameters of the sprayer, and cost indicators, indicated that increasing scale reduces costs when installed capacity is carefully managed. Integrating telemetry with Lean Production principles enables real-time resource optimization and waste reduction.