Diversification turns 35 generating extra revenue for the tobacco farmers

20 . MAY . 2020 Releases

May 2020 – While a new tobacco crop is being seeded in the South Region of Brazil, the results of the second crop are ascertained by the farmers who adhered to the Corn, Bean and Pastureland after Tobacco Harvest Program. In 2020, when the initiative turns 35, the cultivation of cereals and pasturelands after tobacco harvest represented an increase of R$ 634.2 million in farmers’ income.

According to a survey conducted by the SindiTabaco, all estimates point to a reduction of R$ 5.8 million in total income from 2019, when the result amounted to  R$ 640 million. In Rio Grande do Sul, the negative impact was higher, with total income dropping from R$ 400 million (in 2019) to R$ 297.4 million, mainly by virtue of the prolonged drought that affected the State in the past months. In Santa Catarina, total income rose from R$ 130 million (in 2019) to R$ 205.2 million. And in Paraná income rose from R$ 110 million to R$ 131.5 million. In general, the planted area was smaller in 2019, around 14%. But it was compensated, in part, by higher productivity levels in Paraná and mainly by higher average prices.

In the evaluation of SindiTabaco president Iro Schünke, the numbers of the program attest to the importance of a second crop. “Diversification is always a good option for the farmers, as it brings in revenue from different activities. In the case of this program, by cultivating a second crop, the farmers make extra income at lower cost”, the executive officer comments.

Another conclusion drawn from the numbers of the past years is the gradual replacement of bean after tobacco harvest. In 2020, 12,878 hectares were devoted to bean, 89,530 to corn, 15,832 to soybean and 35,030 hectares to pasturelands. With regard to the volumes this year, the crops after tobacco harvest amounted to 21,768 tons of bean, 650,288 tons of corn and 43,692 tons of soybean. The survey also pointed to an increase in the cultivation of pasturelands for grass-fed beef: In  the three southern states of Brazil, 35,030 hectares were dedicated to pastures in 2020, against 31,443 hectares in the previous year.

KNOW MORE – The initiative is conducted by the SindiTabaco, relying on support from entities and governments of the States of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. One of the advantages is the reduction of costs in the production of grains, as these crops take advantage of residual fertilizer, and there could also occur a reduction in the cost for producing protein with the use corn for animal feeding. Other benefits include soil protection and the interruption to the pest and weed proliferation cycle.

MSLGROUP Andreoli
Cibele Gandolpho – cibele.gandolpho@mslgroup.com – (11) 3169-9331 / (11) 96477-2701
Eliana Stülp Kroth – eliana.stulp@mslgroup.com – (51) 3713-1777 / (51) 9708-5539
Thais Thomaz – thais.thomaz@mslgroup.com – (11) 3169-9373
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