Ministry of Agriculture recognizes Irga-RS Environmental Seal

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), through the Secretariat of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation and Cooperativism, recognized that the Environmental Seal of the Rio Grande do Sul Rice Institute (Irga) meets the minimum requirements for Good Agricultural Practices, according to Mapa Ordinance 337/2021. The decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Union.

Based on this definition, Irga, which is linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Seapi), becomes a certifying entity of Mapa and producers awarded the Environmental Seal are entitled to a discount on loans taken out through the Safra Plan.

The Plano Safra, a federal government program, offers financing for agricultural activities in Brazil. There are several lines of credit that can be used for financing, marketing and investment. Access to the lines of credit depends on several factors, such as the producer's activity, the size of the property and the annual income. It is intended for all rural producers, but prioritizes small and medium-sized farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses and corporate agriculture.

The agency formalized its request for recognition from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock earlier this year, during the 34th Official Opening of the Rice Harvest, which took place in Capão do Leão. “We have been eagerly awaiting this recognition from MAPA, and we are now celebrating its officialization. This will significantly speed up the loan processes requested by rice farmers through the Harvest Plan, in addition to guaranteeing a discount for those who received our Environmental Seal. In this process, I would like to highlight the work of the technical director, Flávia Tomita, and the program coordinator, agronomist Rafael Nunes, who worked hard to obtain this approval from the Ministry,” explained the president of the institute, Rodrigo Machado.

The Environmental Seal was created by Irga in 2008 and its main objectives are to promote the environmental sustainability of the irrigated rice production system and to guarantee that agricultural enterprises are recognized for their use of correct environmental and social practices in irrigated rice farming. In addition, it seeks to improve the management of rural properties, reduce costs added to the production process, contribute to adding value to the product and encourage rice production within the principles of food safety.