JMaquinas Agricolas Jacto S.A. was founded 59 years ago in the city of Pompéia, in the state of São Paulo. It was created by a Japanese immigrant, Shunji Nishimura who in 1948 patented the first manual knapsack duster developed in Brazil, and went from strength to strength thereafter. The company currently leads the Jacto group, which started in the 30's in a small mechanical workshop.

Located at Rua Senador Rodolfo Miranda, 127, in Pompéia, and with only three employees and much determination, they began producing dusters with an innovative mechanism, with a two-way movement for continuous dusting, and easily fastening to the operator's back.

In the first year, 30 dusters were produced monthly. The workshop was transformed into a factory, giving birth to the Agricultural Machinery plant called Indústria e Máquinas Agricolas Jacto Ltda., actually established in 1948, but made official only in November 1949. The name was inspired from the smoke trail left in the air from the most modern creation by aeronautical engineering at the time: the jet plane.

Evolution of knapsack duster and sprayer models developed by Mr. Nishimura

Motor-powered Duster

The first dusters evolved into lighter backpack models, and led to the emergence of tractor-mounted models for use in large cotton and coffee plantations. In the year 1956, the company acquired its current name: Máquinas Agricolas Jacto. In the following year, it became a joint stock corporation. Besides the diversification of models, by the end of the 50's, the main company product continued to be the knapsack duster.

In 1966, a new section was inaugurated - the assembly line for manual knapsack sprayers equipped with plastic reservoir. The evolution of the products followed step by the step the changes in the structure of Brazilian agriculture, and in insecticide formulations, and the transformation experienced by the national agricultural industry.

First shipment of Jacto products abroad

In response to the changing demand pattern, Jacto invested in new tractor mounted models for use on large plantations. And it was in this period that the company took up a new venture involving something never seen before: the development of a coffee harvester. It took six years of research and prototype development before reaching the final model, which was called "K3". The new venture was successful and represented a great technological leap for the company.

With the K3 experience, the importance of research in improving and creating new products became proven in practice. Ever since then, a new aspect of Jacto's culture was consolidated: continuous technological research and development work applied to production.