Cotton sanitary break begins on September 20th in Minas Gerais

Brazilian cotton farming faces a constant threat: the boll weevil (anthonomus grandis), a devastating pest that takes advantage of areas with permanent crops to survive during the off-season. In order to protect crops and mitigate the damage caused by this pest, the sanitary gap is essential, as it aims to interrupt the insect's life cycle, preventing it from remaining active in crops.

In 2024, the phytosanitary measure will take place in Minas Gerais between September 20 and November 20. However, in irrigated areas located below 600 meters above sea level, the sanitary break must be observed from October 30 to December 30. During these periods, there must be no live cotton plants in the entire state, except in areas designated for scientific research or the production of genetic seeds, which must be strictly monitored by the Minas Gerais Institute of Agriculture (IMA).

Leonardo Henrique Martins do Carmo, plant protection manager at IMA, highlighted that the Institute will conduct inspections by sampling on properties that grew cotton in the previous harvest to check for the presence of live plants. “If remaining plants are identified, the producer will be notified to eliminate them. If the determination is not complied with, a violation report will be drawn up and an administrative process will be instituted,” he explained.

Producers, owners and lessees are responsible for eliminating all crop residues or stubble within 15 days after harvest. Failure to comply with this obligation may result in sanctions ranging from fines to civil and criminal penalties.

Producer Awareness

To ensure the effectiveness of the sanitary break, IMA has been actively working to raise awareness among producers. According to Leonardo, the Institute has been holding meetings with the production chain and disseminating information through radio stations, social networks and partners. “Our goal is to highlight the importance of the sanitary break in combating the boll weevil. The measure reduces the infestation of the pest in the next harvest, resulting in lower costs for producers and better production quality.”

Registration and authorization request

All cotton farmers must register their cultivation areas with the IMA by the beginning of the sanitary break, that is, by September 20. Registration is mandatory and must be updated each harvest, ensuring that authorities can monitor compliance with the rules. For those who wished to plant during the period in force, it was possible to request authorization until April 30.

Each year, in these cases, the request must be accompanied by a Simplified Work Plan, detailing the procedures that will be adopted to control the boll weevil. “Registration is essential for effective monitoring. It allows IMA to organize its preventive actions and monitor with greater precision,” explained the manager, adding that the process can be streamlined at IMA’s regional offices. “It is a simple and quick measure that brings benefits to the entire cotton production chain in Minas Gerais.”

Prevention and protection

The cotton boll weevil is a pest that can cause significant drops in production, directly affecting the economy of cotton farming. The insect attacks the plant's flower buds, preventing the formation of cotton bolls and, therefore, reducing crop production. Therefore, strictly following the sanitary gap guidelines is an essential action to prevent the increase of this pest and ensure the sustainability of cotton production in Minas Gerais.

The Minas Gerais Cotton Producers Association (Amipa), in collaboration with the IMA, plays a fundamental role in this process, by guiding associated producers and monitoring compliance with standards, thus ensuring that Minas Gerais maintains its competitiveness and quality in cotton production.