Emater-MG and Anater join forces to implement production projects in MG

Enable productive projects in four regions of Minas Gerais and share agricultural knowledge. These are the objectives of a partnership between the National Agency for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Anater) and the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of Minas Gerais (Emater-MG). The initiative is benefiting 100 municipalities.

The agreement between the two institutions was signed in 2017, with actions beginning in 2018. The benefiting municipalities belong to the North, Northeast, East and Central regions. Under the agreement, Emater-MG, linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Minas Gerais (Seapa) and the Municipal Councils for Sustainable Rural Development (CMDRS) are responsible for the selection and registration of farmers.

The technicians also provide collective and individual technical assistance, carry out the diagnosis of properties, in addition to coordinating the implementation of Reference Units (RU). Each benefiting municipality received one unit. The expectation is that this space will serve as a reference for at least 20 producers from each municipality.

In these units, production projects prepared by Emater-MG are developed, according to the possibilities and objectives of the producers. There are the most diverse activities, which aim to generate income and sustainable production. Everything is closely monitored by the company's technicians. The units are located in an area provided by the producer on his property.

“The idea is to provide opportunities for socialization and the appropriation of results from technological practices and processes, considering the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects developed in these units”, says the state coordinator in Rural Extension Methodology at Emater-MG, Ademar Pires .

The actions are being made possible through resources from Anater (R$6,1 million) and Emater-MG (R$1,1 million).

UR in Cordisburgo

In 2018, a Reference Unit in an agroforestry system was implemented in Cordisburgo, Central region of Minas Gerais. Various vegetables, fruit trees (banana, lemon, passion fruit and other fruits) and eucalyptus are grown in the area. “Eucalyptus leaves are crushed to make organic matter”, says Emater-MG technician, Glauco Francisco Ferreira.

The extension agent also explains how joint planting between trees and vegetables is carried out. “The idea is to intersperse forest and vegetable beds. For every three vegetables, one tree is planted. In this unit, there are 70 vegetable beds,” he says.

According to Glauco Ferreira, the space has been used for technical views by other producers who want to know more about the agroforestry system. “For the producer it means better working conditions, because of the shade from the trees. There is also a reduction in water consumption, improvement in the quality of soil and vegetables,” he says.

The Reference Unit was implemented on the property of the producer and biologist, Caio Henrique Pessoa Gaspar. Even when he was a student, he intended to produce food in the agroforestry system. “I was looking for a sustainable activity that did not harm the environment,” he said. Before implementing the system on his property, Caio took training courses and received guidance from Emater-MG technicians. “This system improves the quality of soil and food. We also notice a decrease in the incidence of pests and diseases”, says the horticulturist.

Caio Henrique sells his products to the municipal education network in Cordisburgo, through the National School Food Program (Pnae). The production from his property is also sold in the municipality of Pedro Leopoldo.