Climate risk agricultural zoning published for castor bean cultivation in the 2022/2023 harvest

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), through the Secretariat of Agricultural Policy, published this Wednesday (1st/06) the ordinances 207 to 243, which approve the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), crop year 2022/2023, for the cultivation of castor beans.

The study methodology was updated in 2020, by Embrapa, with emphasis on crop parameters and representative cycles, inclusion of a group of short-cycle cultivars (less than 130 days), extension of castor bean zoning to all states, adjustment in critical criteria and limits, such as water needs satisfaction index (ISNA), temperature and rainfall at harvest for risk estimation, in addition to the insertion of the auxiliary escape criterion for gray mold in rainy regions or seasons and the Zarc subdivision Semi-arid castor bean.

The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis L.) is drought tolerant and is, therefore, a good alternative for cultivation in dry regions of the country. Cultivation is not recommended for regions with very long periods of rain, which encourage the emergence of diseases such as gray mold, in addition to damaging the harvest and the quality of the product.

The crop is commercially exploited due to the oil content in its seeds, with applications in the areas of cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, lubricants and polymers. Traditionally cultivated by small producers in the Northeast, it has expanded to other regions of Brazil.

Why follow Zarc?

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.

Right Planting 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.

Zarc results can also be consulted and downloaded through the platform “Risk Indication Panel”.