Field day in Cassilândia (MS) reinforces the importance of irrigation systems to achieve high productivity

The use of irrigation in conjunction with other good agronomic practices allows producers to seek and achieve the much-desired verticalization of production. At AgroPassion's Cantinho do Céu farm, on June 15th, when Irrigated Agriculture Day is celebrated, a field day was held to share examples of entrepreneurship and development of integrated irrigation, in partnership with Irrigaterra, Lindsay, Netafim and UNESP.

The farm is located between Cassilândia and Chapadão do Sul and is part of Bolsão Sul-Mato-Grossense. According to Antônio Ricardo Sechis, from AgroPassion, the implementation of a project fully integrated with nature and social well-being provided sustainable profitability. “Before, we had degraded pasture and soil and with the implementation of irrigation we completely changed the farm’s scenario. Now we are signing another irrigation contract on the same property,” said Sechis.

Halisson Vieira, technical sales representative at Netafim, a pioneering company and world leader in irrigation solutions, participated in the meeting and explained that several producers have extracted a lot of value from irrigation technology. “The jump in productivity is evident thanks to the efficient use of water and the increase in product quality due to procedures such as fertigation. Furthermore, today farmers can harmonize different irrigation systems and use 100% of the land on their farms. Produce more without the need to expand the area”, says Vieira.

Professor Dr. Fernando Braz Tangerino Hernandez, from Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Ilha Solteira, and his team will monitor the Cantinho do Céu Farm project through two studies linked to the use of water and the environmental gains from changes in use and occupation of the soils. According to him, sandy soils, with low water retention capacity, offer irrigation a unique opportunity for recovery, achieving excellent results in the production of meat and grains.

“The average annual evapotranspiration of 4,0 mm/day and 7 months per year of water deficit would be limitations, but the average annual temperature of 24,9ºC and 19,3 MJ/m2.day of average global radiation are advantages that, if associated Investments in irrigation systems and appropriate agronomic techniques transform the region into an example of modernization and sustainability in the business of producing food, whether of agricultural or animal origin”, explained Hernandez.

Authorities present at the meeting celebrated the initiative and hope that other producers will copy the successful model. The vice-mayor of Cassilândia, Valdecy Pereira da Costa, said that the development of high technology in agricultural production is seen as another opportunity to generate income, employment and foreign exchange for his municipality. “We see in neighboring municipalities the importance of technological agriculture for boosting the economy and we also know that it demands more from the administration and we are managing to meet the demand, bringing improvements to roads and bridges to producers”. Costa said.