Meteorological Station modernizes assistance to farmers in Flores de Goiás

The inauguration of a Meteorological Station in Vão do Paranã, in the Northeast of Goiás, promises to modernize the lives of 10 local farming families. Implemented this week, in Flores de Goiás, the novelty consists of another stage of the pilot irrigation project by the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valley Development Company (Codevasf) in the region. The investment is in the order of R$2 million.

The initiative involves training producers, social activities with the local community and the development of an application with climate data that will help with irrigation management. The information collected by mango and passion fruit producers will be provided by the Meteorological Station. 

The inauguration of the Station is the result of a partnership between Codevasf and Embrapa Cerrados, and aims to monitor water and soil inputs. “It is a technology that will positively impact the lives of these farmers because they will be able to control and manage the water level applied to their crops. This represents savings in water and electricity and efficient use of this important input for the land”, assesses Andréa Sousa, executive secretary of the Enterprise Management Area of ​​the Irrigation and Operations Area at Codevasf. 

Application with climate data

The expectation is that the application will be available within three months, providing real-time, high-precision data to producers in the palm of their hand. The plan is for two other meteorological stations to be installed in the region: one in the city of Formosa, and another in São João d'Aliança. The Meteorological Station installed in the rural area of ​​Flores de Goiás will cover a radius of 60 km and can serve up to 2.500 people.

“It is a region with great water potential, with several local rivers and two dams, so water is not a limiting factor here”, observes the agronomist and Production Support Manager for the Irrigation Area and operations at Codevasf, Alberto do Nascimento . “This area of ​​Goiás is one of the most needy in the state, with low socioeconomic indicators, so this project will bring development, in addition to food security, job creation and income for these families”, he states.

Technical capacitation

Strategic equipment in irrigation management, weather stations allow farmers to better develop their plantations. The technology is capable of measuring temperature, relative air humidity and wind speed, in addition to measuring rainfall, using devices such as a thermometer, barometer, hygrometer and rain gauge.

To understand how it works and the importance of this new technology made available in the region, farmers will participate in technical training taught by experts from Embrapa Cerrados.