Farmers in Rio Grande do Sul will gain financial support to face water scarcity

Rio Grande do Sul was hard hit by a severe drought that caused an estimated financial loss of 28,38 billion reais 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 losses in production 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 study is the resumption of the Água para Todos program, which aims to construction of cisterns to help local producers.

The data indicate that the Rio Grande do Sul it also suffers from problems in the production of corn, vegetables and milk, due to high temperatures and little rain in most regions of the state. Therefore, it is essential that those responsible consider effective measures to avoid further damage.

Faced with the critical situation of farmers in Rio Grande do Sul, it is expected that the government will continue with its negotiations to find solutions capable of alleviating the drought damage. Água para Todos can be a beneficial way of supporting 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 to farmers affected by the climate

It is also important to note 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 exploit 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 the awareness of rural producers about Greening, a disease that attacks all types of citrus . The São Paulo Agribusiness Expansion Fund (FEAP) was also discussed during the meeting. 

O secretary of agriculture, Antônio Junqueira, pointed out that the Secretariat would work in partnership with the Agricultural Defense and CATI to encourage meetings in the municipalities affected by the disease, with the aim of publicizing the program and encouraging small and medium-sized producers. 

“We are going to work together, create actions and make it possible to publicize the campaigns. The Secretariat will always be available to help increase the regular activities carried out by rural producers”, highlighted Junqueira. 

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

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

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

Source: Reuters and Secretary of Agriculture of SP