Farmers have long been the backbone of food systems, but many lack access to the latest agricultural technologies that could change their practices. AgriCarm, the brainchild of agronomist Francisco Velasquez, will change this.
The upcoming app, set to launch at the beginning of next year (2025), offers precision agriculture tools, a global farming community network, and educational resources. With all these, AgriCarm empowers farmers of all scales to embrace sustainable and productive farming methods.
The Journey to AgriCarm
Francisco Velasquez’s quest to establish AgriCarm mirrors the diverse agricultural spaces he wants to serve. His journey began at the Panamerican Agricultural School, Zamorano, where he studied for two years until health issues paused his education. Undaunted, Velasquez studied English as a second language at the University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
The name AgriCarm was inspired by Our Lady of Mount Carmel, reflecting Velasquez’s deep-rooted values, faith and commitment to helping as many farmers as possible.”My experiences at various educational institutions and in different cultures provided me with a distinct viewpoint on the challenges farmers face globally,” Velasquez explains. He further refined this perspective while studying a master’s in precision agriculture at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he immersed himself in the technological aspects of modern farming.
Velasquez is an agronomist who specializes in organic agriculture. He applies his knowledge of sustainable practices and advanced technology to boost crop productivity and health.
Democratizing Precision Agriculture
AgriCarm’s core mission centers on making precision agriculture accessible to farmers of all scales, especially small and medium-sized operations. “Many small and medium-sized farmers do not have access to advanced tools like nutrient mapping, crop monitoring, and variable-rate applications,” Velasquez notes. “AgriCarm offers these tools in an easy-to-use format.”
This strategy proves particularly timely, as recent studies demonstrate that precision farming technologies have already boosted farmers’ production by 4%, cut fertilizer use by 7%, and reduced herbicide applications by 9%.
AgriCarm’s distinctive selling point lies in its freemium model. “We will offer the app for free initially, making it accessible to those with limited resources,” Velasquez explains.
“The app will then have premium features—such as certified courses and custom map creation requests—as paid options. This model gives all farmers, regardless of farm size, access to essential precision agriculture tools while also allowing them to invest in advanced features as they expand,” he explains.
How AgriCarm’s Plant Counting Tool Changes the Game
One of AgriCarm’s most important features is its automated plant counting tool. This new technology enables farmers to evaluate plant density and uniformity as crops emerge after planting, a critical phase in crop development.
“Our tool simplifies the monitoring of initial crop establishment for farmers, helping them pinpoint areas with low germination and receive early recommendations for targeted interventions,” Velasquez explains.
The value of such a tool cannot be overstated. Industry data shows precision agriculture technologies have reduced fossil fuel use by 6% and water consumption by 4%. AgriCarm’s plant counting tool could further optimize resource use and improve crop yields by providing farmers with precise, real-time data on crop emergence.
Furthermore, this feature distinguishes AgriCarm from other competitors in the competitive market. While established companies dominate the industry, Velasquez believes its focus on accessibility and new features will secure a substantial market share. “We create tools that address specific needs of farmers that larger companies have overlooked,” he says.
Building a Global Farming Community
Recognizing farming’s often isolating nature, particularly in remote areas, AgriCarm introduces a social network within the app. This feature allows producers to connect, share knowledge, and learn from others facing similar challenges.
“Many farmers work in remote areas and do not have a network to share experiences or solve problems together,” Velasquez points out. “AgriCarm’s social network allows producers to connect, share knowledge, and learn from others facing similar challenges.”
This strategy aligns with the growing trend of digital connectivity in agriculture. Experts expect the precision agriculture market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% until 2028, likely increasing the demand for platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among farmers.
Velasquez sees this social network as more than a communication tool. “AgriCarm will build a global community of farmers who can support each other and collectively tackle the challenges of modern agriculture,” he explains. This feature could change how farmers interact and learn from each other, eliminating geographical barriers and nurturing a global agricultural community.
AgriCarm’s Education Initiative
The app will provide in-app educational modules on the benefits of precision agriculture, covering topics such as soil analysis, crop monitoring, and nutrient management, among many others.
Additionally, AgriCarm plans to conduct online courses led by precision agriculture experts, focusing on technology and best agronomic practices.
“Farmers often do not have enough information about soil quality and optimal nutrient management, which can limit crop yields,” Velasquez explains. “When we offer educational resources and real-time data analysis, it helps farmers make informed decisions that improve soil health and farm productivity.”
This proves particularly important as farmers increasingly need to understand and effectively use new technologies to their advantage. Its emphasis on education positions it as a technology provider and a partner in farmers’ long-term success and sustainability.
The upcoming launch of AgriCarm at the beginning of next year is a step forward in modern agriculture. As Francisco Velasquez’s goal becomes a reality, farmers worldwide can finally gain access to tools once limited to the domain of large-scale operations.
