Drought affects the agricultural sector, posing challenges for farm management, particularly among medium- and small-scale producers. This study calculates the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) using climate data derived from remote sensing products to assess drought frequency and intensity in the Agrotechnological Districts (DATs) of the Semear Digital Center. DATs are characterized by a high concentration of small and medium-sized farms. The SPEI, a robust tool for evaluating the increasing severity of droughts under global warming conditions, was calculated for timescales of 3 and 6 months, covering the period from 2000 to 2024. Drought intensity was classified into five categories: slight drought (S0), moderate drought (S1), severe drought (S2), extreme drought (S3), and exceptional drought (S4). Moderate and slight drought were the most frequently observed drought severity categories in the DATs. However, temporal trend analyses revealed variations among these regions. While Vacaria Ingaí, and Guia Lopes da Laguna presented no trend (SPEI-3 and SPEI-6 months), negative trends were observed in the majority of the DATs, indicating a potential increase in drought severity. Clustering analyses consistently grouped Jacupiranga and Vacaria, suggesting similar drought patterns. These findings offer crucial information for developing strategies to mitigate agricultural risks associated with drought.
