Department of Agriculture wants to double irrigated areas in São Paulo in four years

Guarantee the productivity and development of agricultural areas in the State of São Paulo amid adverse weather conditions. This is the objective of the newest Irrigation Plan, which is being developed by the São Paulo government.

Currently, only 6% of São Paulo's productive area is irrigated. “Our goal is to double this coverage in a maximum of four years and reach 15% by 2030”, announces Guilherme Piai, Secretary of Agriculture and Supply of São Paulo. The plan is being developed in partnership with the University of Nebraska, in the United States, and with the company Lindsay, which operates in more than 90 countries with irrigation systems.

The State Irrigation Plan of the Department of Agriculture provides, among other actions, a line of credit for farmers with resources to purchase implements, in addition to all technical support from research institutes linked to SAA.

To get an idea of ​​the importance of irrigation, today, the country's irrigated agricultural areas correspond to less than 20% of the total cultivated area, but are responsible for the production of more than 40% of food, fiber and bioenergy crops. “These numbers highlight the contribution of this method to food security. Furthermore, they demonstrate increased productivity and enable out-of-season production”, explains the secretary. For Piai, the State Irrigation Plan will contribute greatly to the opening of new market opportunities.

In January, the Secretary of Agriculture visited the Associação do Sudoeste Paulista de Irrigação e Plantio na Palha (ASPIPP), in Campos de Holambra, in the municipality of Paranapanema. During the technical visit, the current scenario of precision irrigated agriculture and the challenges of water resources in the State were discussed. On that occasion, the creation of a working group was agreed with the aim of meeting the region's primary needs.

"The effects of climate change are increasingly strong and São Paulo is going through a period of great drought. But those who have their crops irrigated have their production guaranteed", emphasizes Piai.

Lindsay

With irrigation systems operating in more than 90 countries, Lindsay has been manufacturing and distributing center pivots, laterals and irrigation technology solutions for more than 55 years, and has global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Recently, the multinational began a strategic growth plan and the Latin American businesses began to be managed through the regional headquarters in Brazil and not just through the headquarters in the United States.