Despite the estimate of the second largest harvest in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, according to Emater/RS, the effects of La Niña should have their impact on the state, with little rain and drought forecast, especially from November onwards.
The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr), through its various departments, develops permanent actions to combat drought, with programs aimed at reducing the water deficit and increasing production. In addition to specific actions, aimed at producers during the most critical periods.
Among the programs are the implementation of water networks, the construction of dams, the drilling of wells and the encouragement of an increase in the irrigated area.
“We know the difficulties that producers in Rio Grande do Sul have been facing. We had a severe drought at the beginning of this year, following the worsening of the pandemic, and even so, farmers showed their strength, continued producing, and helped to guarantee supply. Since the beginning of the year, we have intensified existing programs at Seapdr, we have almost tripled the number of wells drilled compared to 2019, we have continued with the construction of micro-dams and we have innovated with the creation of the Irrigation Thematic Chamber, aiming to encourage the increase in the irrigated area in the State and reduce bureaucracy for the installation of pivots”, highlights secretary Covatti Filho.
One of the Secretariat's programs is the construction of deep tubular wells. This year, until October, 69 wells were drilled and 7 cleanings were carried out, serving approximately 5.320 families, distributed in different regions. In 2019, 37 wells were drilled and 2 cleanings were carried out.
The Second Water program promotes access to water, aiming at agricultural production in rural areas among families in situations of social vulnerability, with resources from the Ministry of Citizenship. In 2019 and 2020, 557 micro-dams were built for irrigation and fish farming, benefiting 557 families, in municipalities in the South Region and in Vale do Rio Pardo. 339 drip irrigation kits were also delivered to families who grow vegetables. In these two years, R$3,2 million has been invested.
By December, the program should build another 150 micro-dams and distribute another 200 drip irrigation kits in the municipalities of Passa Segredo, Segredo, Ibarama, Tunas, Boqueirao do Leao, Sinimbu, Pelotas and São José do Norte.
The Support for the Expansion of Rural Infrastructure program has, to date, built 289 micro-dams, serving 289 families in 29 municipalities. In 2019, 551 micro-dams were built, benefiting 551 families in 73 municipalities.
The Water Networks program aims to expand and qualify access to and use of water. This year, 7 works are being tendered for wells and water distribution network, totaling R$6,5 million. 500 families settled under the agrarian reform should benefit. This month, resources were released for the construction of two water main networks worth R$1 million. The tender is in the instruction phase.
The Water for All program, developed in agreement with the Ministry of National Integration, is in the process of completing a water supply system in Hulha Negra, which will benefit 200 families. It is also planned to complete two pipelines in the municipality of Iraí and install a well in Aldeia Missão in November.
The More Water More Income program, which seeks to reduce the water deficit, is undergoing adjustments. But from 2019 to September 2020, 377 projects were approved, equivalent to an increase of 9.632 hectares of new irrigated areas, linked to a total of 244 hectares of flooded area, involving the construction, expansion and regularization of 314 water reservoirs. Since the beginning of the Program, the 3.498 projects have had an impact on an irrigated area of 91.100 hectares, doubling the rainfed irrigated area in the state.
In all regions of the State, Emater/RS task forces were established in order to respond to Proagro's inspection requests on crops financed by Rural Credit. To date, more than 10 inspections have been carried out on soybean crops, and more than 6,1 inspections on corn. The total number of requests for all crops and vegetables exceeds 17,5 inspections in the State.
The Department of Agriculture develops other actions that have an impact on combating drought. Among them are:
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