Sunflower Agricultural Zoning is published for the 2022/2023 harvest

The Mapa Agricultural Policy Secretariat published this Wednesday (11) ordinances 127 to 153, which approve the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), crop year 2022/2023, for sunflower cultivation in Brazil.

Sunflower is little influenced by variations in latitude and altitude, has tolerance to low temperatures and is relatively resistant to drought, therefore it is a crop that grows well in different regions of the country. The phases most sensitive to water deficit occur during sowing and plant emergence and, mainly, from the beginning of the capitulum formation to the beginning of flowering followed by the formation and filling of grains.

The plant develops well at temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 25ºC, although the optimum temperature for its development is in the range of 27ºC to 28ºC. To obtain good productivity, sunflowers require precipitation of between 500 and 700 mm of water, well distributed throughout the cycle. Water consumption by sunflower crops varies depending on climatic conditions, the length of its cycle and soil and crop management.

Zarc's sunflower study also considered the association between climatic conditions and phytosanitary risk, since the climate may or may not favor the development of important diseases that affect the crop.

Why follow Zarc?

Farmers who follow Zarc's recommendations are less subject to climate risks and may benefit from the Agricultural Activity Guarantee Program (Proagro) and the Rural Insurance Premium Subsidy Program (PSR). Many financial agents only allow access to rural credit for crops in zoned areas and for planting cultivars indicated in zoning ordinances. 

Right Planting App 

Rural producers and other agribusiness agents can access Zarc's official information via tablets and smartphones in a more practical way, facilitating guidance on the federal government's agricultural policy programs. The Zarc Plantio Certo mobile application, developed by Embrapa Agricultura Digital (Campinas/SP), is available in application stores: iOS e Android.

Zarc results can also be consulted and downloaded through the platform “Risk Indication Panel”.