Forecast of high temperatures could be positive for rice farming in SC

The weather events that hit Santa Catarina between the months of September and November generated concern for many people and sectors, including rice. The State, which is the second largest producer of the grain in Brazil, was hit by a large amount of rain, which exceeded the historical average of the last 100 years. However, the forecast of high temperatures and greater solar incidence in the period of December and January could be positive for rice farming and, therefore, brings good expectations for the cultivation of the grain in the 2023/24 harvest.

Known internationally for its quality, the cereal from Santa Catarina should maintain productivity as expected, as the rains did not considerably harm the rice development process. Farmer Gledisom Carlos Colombo was one of the people whose routine changed due to weather forecasts and, in recent weeks, every appearance of the sun meant it was time to go to work.

Accustomed to living on plantations for most of his life, Columbus suffered no significant losses. “We were lucky that this rainy period was while the cereal was growing. So, what happened was the delay in sowing or applying pesticides, factors that will also impact the start of the harvest. Only in some cases was replanting carried out. Now that the grain is in the process of forming bunches, we need to hope for the presence of the sun most days”, explains the farmer.

According to the rural producer, the daily lives of those who work with this crop are based on water management, which has led to increased attention in recent months, always taking care to maintain adequate amounts. “When it doesn’t rain, we have to go back to turn on the pumps, and when it rains excessively, we have to drain it,” he says.

The influence of El Niño

The weather events that raised concerns for the rice production chain occurred as a result of the El Niño phenomenon, whose greatest effect tends to be in spring. As a result, the abnormal warming of the waters of the Pacific Ocean, which causes wind patterns to change, causes the flow of moisture to be reversed. This fact, as explained by the agrometeorology specialist at the Epagri de Urussanga station, Márcio Sônego, influenced the heavy rains that hit the region.

Furthermore, the data shows that both September and October had their historical rainfall averages exceeded. The difference, as Sônego explains, is that in the first case, the sun was present on more days, resulting in temperatures above those considered normal for the period.

In the coming months, more sunlight

It is in the months of December and January that the sun becomes even more essential in rice crops. According to Epagri/Ciram forecasts, the next two months should exceed the average, directly favoring plantations. “It is very likely that the atmospheric condition will be more favorable to Santa Catarina’s rice fields from December onwards, as rainfall should return to normal and temperatures will be higher”, says Sônego.

The planting of rice on soil in Santa Catarina has already been completed, and the prospects for the 2023/24 harvest, in the view of the president of the Santa Catarina Rice Industries Union, Walmir Rampinelli, are promising. “If the weather conditions are confirmed and we have a favorable degree of sunshine, especially in January, when the grain will be in bloom, we will have an excellent harvest, just like in previous years”, he highlights.

Following the premise that the grain needs sun at the top and water at its roots, the presence of light will have a significant impact on crops, as it helps combat diseases, such as fungi. “With the realization of this forecast, the entire production chain will benefit. We just have to hope the sun isn't too strong. If all this is confirmed, we believe that we will finish the 23/24 harvest with excellent productivity and an excellent quality product”, emphasizes Rampinelli.