IDR-Paraná launches carioca bean cultivar that allows longer storage time

A new bean cultivar, IPR Águia, is ready to dominate the fields of Paraná. It was presented this Tuesday (21/03) at the Research and Innovation Hub of the Institute for Rural Development of Paraná - Iapar-Emater (IDR-Paraná), in Ponta Grossa, in Campos Gerais. IPR Águia, whose main commercial attraction is the resistance to darkening of the grains, which allows for longer storage times, joins 10 other cultivars currently with seeds available on the market and cultivated in all producing regions in Brazil.

According to the researchers, it takes around nine months before the IPR Águia beans start to take on that oxidized appearance that Brazilian bean consumers dislike. This attribute, a demand of the entire production chain, is particularly important for farmers, as it allows them to store production and gain more autonomy to decide on sales, according to agronomist José dos Santos Neto, who worked on the development of new cultivar.

IPR Águia has an 88-day cycle, a production potential of around 4,8 tons per hectare and an upright posture, which favors direct mechanical harvesting. In terms of phytosanitary aspects, it is resistant to rust, powdery mildew and common mosaic; and moderately resistant to anthracnose, common bacterial blight, Curtobacterium wilt and angular leaf spot. With a high protein content, IPR Águia grains cook quickly, with a consistent and tasty broth.

“IPR Águia is a cultivar that provides safety for the producer, quality for the industry and, also, quick cooking and flavor for the consumer”, stated Santos Neto. The new cultivar is adapted to the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo and Mato Grosso.

Present at the ceremony, vice-governor Darci Piana highlighted the work on developing new technologies for agriculture and recalled that Paraná is the main producer of beans in the country. Last year, 758 thousand tons were produced. For this year, the forecast is something around 793 thousand tons. IDR-Paraná cultivars are adopted by producers from all regions. In last year's harvest, 63% of black bean and 14% carioca seed multiplication fields in Brazil were IPR cultivars. 

“The applied research carried out at IDR-Paraná is justifying investments in the area, which is essential for our economy”, he pointed out. “The tireless work of these researchers, who spend hours, days, nights and years seeking balance in this process, results in a very good product, with good quality, with good sales and that feeds our people.” 

The Secretary of Agriculture and Supply of Paraná, Norberto Ortigara, emphasized that the slow darkening is enough to benefit the producer. “It’s the style of the streaked grains to look old more quickly, which puts pressure on the producer to sell as soon as they harvest,” he explained. “Now we increasingly need to focus on individual competence and, as a team, deliver new results to society.” 

“Beans are an important crop for small producers and for Paraná. It is always a moment of joy to deliver to society a product that contributes to farmers' income and the economy”, summarized the CEO of IDR-Paraná, Natalino Avance de Souza.