National Climate Risk Agricultural Zoning Program publishes publication schedule

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) defined the schedule for carrying out studies and publications of the Agricultural Zoning of Climate Risk (Zarc) ordinances for the year 2022.

Responsible for preparing the Zarc studies, Embrapa will carry out the processing and modeling of crop parameters, in addition to conducting a fundamental stage in the process of assessing the agroclimatic risks of each crop: the validation meetings, which will have the schedules published on the Mapa website. 

The Map has the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning system (SISZarc), a tool that receives and compiles the cultivars recommended for planting in each region of the country. Breeders/maintainers must pay attention to the deadlines for indicating their respective cultivars for the 2022/2023 harvest

Zarc's ordinances are published at least 3 months before planting begins and are prepared by the Agricultural Policy Secretariat. The result is published in the Official Gazette of the Union and can also be consulted on the risk indication panel: https://indicadores.agricultura.gov.br/zarc/index.htm

Farmers who follow Zarc's recommendations are less subject to climate risks and may benefit from the Agricultural Activity Guarantee Program (Proagro) and the Rural Insurance Premium Subsidy Program (PSR). Many financial agents only allow access to rural credit for crops in zoned areas and for planting cultivars indicated in zoning ordinances.

Zarc Plantio Certo app

Rural producers and other agribusiness agents can access Zarc's official information via tablets and smartphones in a more practical way, facilitating guidance on the federal government's agricultural policy programs. The Zarc Plantio Certo mobile application, developed by Embrapa Agricultura Digital (Campinas/SP), is available in application stores: iOS e Android 

New study for soy

The soybean Zarc will be reevaluated this year with a view to incorporating the new indications for the sowing calendar and sanitary void. As the main methodological innovation, sowing risks will be assessed according to the level of crop management.

The new study must take into account: soil management practices; soil cover; the organic matter content; the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and the root system. Improving these practices and soil conditions is of great importance for increasing the water reservoir available for the crop, consequently improving the plant's resistance to adverse events.

Demands and suggestions from the production sector can be sent to email zonamento@agro.gov.br