Farmers in Rio Grande do Sul Will Receive Financial Support to Face Water Shortages

Rio Grande do Sul Was Hard Hit by a Severe Drought That Caused an Estimated Financial Loss of R$ 28.38 Billion for Soybean Crops in the 2022/23 Harvest. To Help Small and Large Producers Face This Drought, the Federal Government is Preparing a Package of Measures to Be Announced in the Coming Days.

In order to minimize production losses in the state, ministries such as Agriculture, Civil House, Finance, Regional Development, and Agrarian Development met to discuss possible solutions to be taken. One of the measures already under consideration is the resumption of the Water for All program, which aims to build cisterns to assist local producers.

Data shows that the Rio Grande do Sul is also suffering from problems in the production of corn, vegetables, and milk due to high temperatures and little rainfall in most regions of the state. Therefore, it is crucial that those in charge consider effective measures to avoid greater losses.

Given the critical situation of farmers in Rio Grande do Sul, it is expected that the government will continue its negotiations to find solutions capable of mitigating the damages caused by the drought. The Water for All program could be a beneficial way to support local producers, as it allows them to use the water stored in the cisterns to irrigate their crops and ensure success in their production.

Ministry of Agriculture Authorizes Payment of Benefits for Farmers Affected by Weather Conditions

It is also important to highlight that the inclusion of Rio Grande do Sul in the program would bring benefits not only to local farmers but also to the state as a whole. With a strengthened economy and greater stability in agricultural production, Rio Grande do Sul could better leverage its human and natural resources. Therefore, the sooner the measures are announced, the greater the gains for everyone.

Meeting Discusses Credit Benefits for Small and Medium Producers

The seven municipalities of Aguaí, Casa Branca, Conchal, Engenheiro Coelho, Leme, Mogi Guaçu, and Mogi Mirim were represented at the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply to discuss actions related to raising awareness among rural producers about Greening, a disease that affects all types of citrus. The São Paulo Agribusiness Expansion Fund (FEAP) was also a topic discussed during the meeting.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Antônio Junqueira, pointed out that the Secretariat would work in partnership with Agricultural Defense and CATI to encourage meetings in the municipalities affected by the disease, with the aim of promoting the program and encouraging small and medium producers.

“We will work together, create actions, and facilitate the dissemination of the campaigns. The Secretariat will always be available to help enhance the regular activities carried out by rural producers,” emphasized Junqueira. 

Antônio Juliano Ayres, General Manager of Fundecitrus, reinforced the importance of the partnership between SAA and Agricultural Defense to promote meetings in the municipalities affected by Greening. According to him, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas will support the initiatives. 

In addition to the mayors of the present municipalities, the meeting was also attended by the Executive Secretary of Agriculture, Marcos Böttcher; the coordinator of Technical Advisory, Alberto Amorim; the coordinator of CATI, Alexandre Grassi; the CDA coordinator, Luís Fernando Bianco; and the president of the Brazilian Citrus Producers Association – ABCM, Antônio Carlos Simonetti.

This meeting was essential to conclude that there is an urgent need for awareness about Greening in the municipalities affected by the disease so that producers can take preventive measures and obtain information on how to access the credit lines of FEAP. The relevance of the partnership between SAA and Agricultural Defense to promote educational meetings with rural producers was also highlighted.

Source: Reuters and São Paulo Agriculture Secretariat