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According to UFMG professor Raoni Rajão, two thirds of potassium reserves, an input used in fertilizers in Brazil, are found in the states of Minas Gerais, Sergipe and São Paulo, and only 11% are found in indigenous lands
Agricultural producers in Brazil are concerned about the consequences for agriculture generated by the war in Ukraine, due to the supply of fertilizers, since 50% of potassium imports come from Russia and Belarus, according to Embrapa. Given this fact, the Federal University of Minas Gerais informs that Brazil has enough potassium reserves to supply the country until the year 2100.
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In addition to the potassium reserves in Minas Gerais, Sergipe and São Paulo, there are also reserves in the Amazon, but 11% of the deposits are located in indigenous lands. The project that proposes mineral exploration of indigenous lands may be discussed again in the Chamber of Deputies, after two years on hold.
Brazil's dependence on imports of potassium-based fertilizers
Currently, Brazil is dependent on the import of fertilizers based on phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium to guarantee agricultural production. Fertilizers have the function of correcting the soil and increasing the crop.
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According to professors Raoni Rajão and Everaldo Zonta, Brazil was independent of potassium imports until 1990. Both professors agree in asking for a national policy for the export of potassium. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply should launch a national fertilizer plan this month.
Raoni believes that the war is showing the importance of investing in Brazil's domestic market, but argues that an incentive is needed to generate competition with international companies that dominate sales.
“The federal government is preparing a fertilizer plan, but this goes through several important points, such as equating the issue of taxes. In Brazil, if you produce, you pay 8% ICMS. If you import, you don't pay tax. It makes no sense for you to have this differentiated treatment, in addition to having the need for a long-term action, with stimuli from public banks”, defended the professor in conversation with the CNN.
Potassium stores for three months
According to the National Association for the Diffusion of Fertilizers (Anda), producers have a three-month supply of fertilizers. Anda maintains dialogue with the government in order to solve the problem, and hopes that the war in Ukraine ends as soon as possible;
The Ministry of Agriculture informed CNN that Brazil has fertilizers to guarantee planting until the month of October. He was also informed about the preparation of a training caravan on the efficiency of fertilizers, in order to save US$ 1 billion in the input.
Low fertilizer imports could lead to excessive mining on indigenous lands in the Amazon
Conflicts between Ukraine and Russia brought a large deficit of fertilizer imports to the Brazilian market and a series of discussions about the mineral reserves of the Amazon. Thus, during last Wednesday (02/03), President Jair Bolsonaro positioned himself in favor of a Bill that would allow the mining of potash in areas of the region, including indigenous lands, without taking into account the impacts of these activities. To learn more, check out this article in full by clicking here.
