Secretariat of Agriculture plans to create an action plan to encourage irrigation in the State of São Paulo

During a technical visit to the Associação do Sudoeste Paulista de Irrigação e Plantio na Palha (Aspipp), in Campos de Holambra, in the municipality of Paranapanema, the Secretary of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, Guilherme Piai, signed the creation of a group of work with the aim of meeting the region’s primary needs. The authorities present also discussed the current scenario of precision irrigated agriculture and the challenges of water resources in the State.

According to the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA), São Paulo has a total irrigated area of ​​2,4 million hectares, around 29,5% of the national scenario. For Piai, the sector needs to further expand the irrigated area and to achieve this it is necessary to align strategies with the responsible bodies, such as the Department of Water and Electric Energy (DAEE) and the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb). 

"Irrigation increases production and reduces the impact of adverse weather conditions. We only have 5,8% of our crops irrigated. Through a working group we will encourage the expansion of irrigation in agriculture in São Paulo", he highlighted. 

According to DAEE data, the average rainfall in the state is 1.376 mm/year. "The effects of climate change are increasingly strong and São Paulo is going through a very strong drought. But those who have their crops irrigated have their production guaranteed", he stressed. 

Pontal Irrigation Hub

The executive project for the Pontal Irrigation Hub was also presented to the secretary and representatives of the Department. With a total area of ​​250 thousand hectares, 130 thousand hectares of which are irrigated. The initiative would contribute to the generation of more than 2 thousand direct and indirect jobs.  

Secretary Guilherme Piai also visited the Cooperativa Agroindustrial Holambra, to learn about the areas irrigated using pivots, a system that allows the necessary amount of fertilizers to be applied precisely, reducing labor costs and waste.