Crop diversification grows in Mato Grosso do Sul

The diversification of crops in the fields of Mato Grosso do Sul presents significant results. Products such as peanuts, cassava, rice, beans and cotton gain space in crops and expand the food basket produced within the State. Peanuts, for example, registered an increase of more than 73% in area, which jumped from 7.013 hectares to 12.157 ha, in addition to production, which increased by 115,6% and went from 20.421 tons in 2023 to 44.041 tons this agricultural year.

The data comes from the latest Agricultural Situation Letter for March, prepared by the Statistics Coordination of Semadesc (Secretariat of State for Environment, Development, Science, Technology and Innovation). The survey shows that there was an increase in production estimates for 1st crop peanuts, cassava, herbaceous cotton, 2nd crop beans and rice.

On the other hand, according to the letter, the latest data made available by the Systematic Survey of Agricultural Production (LSPA/IBGE) in March 2023, indicate that Mato Grosso do Sul has an estimated total agricultural production of 103,02 million tons, distributed across 7,09 million hectares. Compared to data from 2023, this represents a variation of -6,3% in relation to production, and -1,9% in relation to the estimated harvested area.

In the distribution by Federation Units, Mato Grosso do Sul is the 7th largest national grain producer, with a share of 7,55%, São Paulo leads the ranking with (30,49%), followed by Mato Grosso (13,98% ), Goiás (10,45%), Minas Gerais (8,88%) and Paraná (8,86%) which, together, represented 80,21% of the total.

For the Secretary of State, Jaime Verruck, the numbers reflect the change in the agricultural scenario this harvest. “The letter noted the growth in the area planted with cotton and cassava. These are alternative products that prove the advancement of our product basket”, highlighted the secretary.

Regarding soybeans, production should be close to 12,795 million tons this year, occupying an area of ​​more than 4 million hectares, representing a variation of -9,85% and 3,59%, respectively. With regard to corn (2nd harvest), a harvest of 11,340 million tons (-14,67%) is estimated and, for sugar cane, a volume of 51,790 million tons.

“Traditional crops such as soybeans and corn saw significant declines, mainly due to delays in planting or loss of the corn sowing window. We will have a huge loss of revenue in the grain sector, as in addition to the decrease in production we also had a significant drop in prices, generating a very large decrease in the inflow of resources into the sector”, analyzed Beretta.

These indices can be checked in the analysis of the Gross Production Value (VBP) of Agriculture. In 2024, the VBP of Agriculture is estimated at R$41.8 billion, with a variation of (-19,33%) compared to the year 2023. “In 2024, for the main products, prices remain low, pressured by the expectation of global supply. Our grain production, which had reached a record in 2023, this year suffers from the effects associated with El Niño”, added Semadesc Development Secretary, Rogério Beretta.

Considering the state agricultural sector as a whole, agriculture accounts for 68,46% and, in relation to the national ranking, MS is in 7th position.