The science that helped Mato Grosso do Sul become an agricultural powerhouse

The prominent role of Mato Grosso do Sul in national agriculture is largely due to scientific work, much of it developed at the Embrapa Research Unit, in Dourados, in the southwest of the state. Created on June 13, 1975, about two years after the creation of Embrapa, the institution was born as the State Research Execution Unit (Uepae) of Dourados, in the then state of Mato Grosso. In 1993, as a result of a regional demand from the agricultural sector, Uepae was transformed into the Western Agricultural Research Center (CPAO) and known, soon after, by the summary name: Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste. Today, it makes up, with 42 other research centers, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa, which has just completed 50 years.

The activities carried out by the Embrapa Unit in Dourados began with genetic improvement for the development of cultivars adapted to local conditions. Research focused on crops such as rice, beans, corn, cotton and, especially, soybeans and wheat. 

The researchers also focused on the management of pests and diseases in the region, adaptation of planting times, conservation, correction and management of soil fertility. A relevant milestone for the state's agriculture was the publication, in July 1975, of the document Soya and Wheat Production Systems, a technical basis for consultations. 

From the 1980s onwards, new research projects were developed, focusing on production systems and not just isolated crops. This work developed in partnership with producers resulted in the Direct Planting System (SPD). A conservationist technique par excellence, SPD improves productivity and water absorption by the soil and reduces production costs. The creation of the Straw Planting Group (GPP), on January 4, 1994, in Dourados, constituted an important forum for discussions about the SPD. 

Partnerships with the productive sector, universities, cooperatives and other productive segments in the region made it possible to meet the needs of producers, which led to the implementation of improvements in the SPD with a view to integrating, diversifying and improving the profitability of the property. This action culminated in the implementation, in the 1990s, of the Crop-Livestock Integration (ILP) system, both considered pillars of low-carbon agriculture. 

Research conducted by the center's team over the years has made it possible to improve production arrangements and adapt ILP formats that are more suited to the needs and interests of producers in the region. To this day, the Unit works on research into sustainable production systems and adaptation to climate change, agricultural health, food security, territorial development and the use of natural resources. Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste has an ecoregional operating mandate that covers a land structure formed by both family farmers and large producers integrated into the commodities market.

Among the activities carried out, the team of professionals develops work on various crops: corn-brachiaria consortium, soybeans, sugar cane, winter crops and cover crops. It also participates in the validation process of: cotton, cassava, wheat, oats and sorghum and carries out viability and production potential tests for sunflower, peanuts, cowpeas, chickpeas, among others.

Climate changes

Located in a region with a tropical climate and with a strong impact from climatic conditions, which vary greatly throughout the seasons, the Unit developed a system for collecting and making available agrometeorological information as a way of supporting decision-making by rural producers. Through an organized, systematized and online database, the Climate Guide is the result of research and development work that helps several rural producers in the region. 

It is an agrometeorological monitoring system that provides, in real time, data on meteorological conditions (temperature, air humidity, etc.), information (averages, normals, etc.) and alerts (low air humidity, strong winds, frosts, etc.), which can be used to assist in decision making, through an application on cell phones. Supplied by four agrometeorological stations, the Climate Guide has potential for expansion and can be adapted to other cities.

The research center's knowledge in agrometeorology allowed it to continuously contribute to the activities of the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC Embrapa Network), responsible for work in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, which feeds the system data (SISZarc).

In addition to field research data collection activities, the Unit's team also carries out processing and modeling of crop parameters, establishing ZARC information. Dourados professionals also promote ZARC validation meetings. Passion fruit, watermelon, forage sorghum, corn and brachiaria intercropping are some examples of crops and production systems that rely on ZARC in Mato Grosso do Sul, prepared by the Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste research team.

agroenergy

At the beginning of the 2010s, Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste began working with sugarcane, with the aim of developing technologies to increase the productivity and quality of sugarcane in the Central-West region of Brazil, which in that At the time, it was not a traditionally producing region of this culture. 

Currently, according to data from Biosul, the state has 19 sugarcane plants and plays an important role in the Brazilian sugar-energy scenario. Almost 50 million tons of sugarcane have already been produced in just a single harvest, a growth of 230%, responsible for placing MS in the fourth position of largest sugarcane producer in Brazil. Furthermore, the state is the fourth sugar producer in the country. 

These numbers are a reflection of the scientific work that enabled the use and occupation of restrictive environments with sugarcane crops. On this topic, the team is developing production systems that enable the renewal of sugarcane fields with green manure and crop rotation, such as crotalaria and soybeans. 

The Unit is attentive to the demands of RenovaBio, a national biofuels plan, and has sought to anticipate the needs of the segment, through partnerships with cooperatives, the private sector and producer associations, with emphasis on Biosul.

To achieve this, it counts on the commitment of the Unit's technology transfer team, which has been promoting frequent events aimed at the sugar and alcohol sector. These seminars, currently called CanaMS, have been taking place since 2012 and are attended by plant technicians and those interested in the subject. In these meetings, extensive exchanges of information occur and new research demands are captured, bringing research closer to the productive sector. 

Fish

In 2004, Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste created the Fish Farming Research Center, with the aim of contributing to the strengthening of the fish production chain in Mato Grosso do Sul. This Center has been carrying out research in nutrition, genetics, health and fish management for 20 years. native and exotic fish. 

In 2006, the Fish Farming Research Laboratory was opened, with financial support from SEAP/PR and an area of ​​247m2. The laboratory is part of the Integrated Aquaculture Research Program, which at the time was used for research related to water quality — monitoring, management and control measures; nutrition and food — nutritional requirements for native species, food management, protein sources of plant origin and energy sources — and health — diagnosis and control of diseases.

Environmental sustainability

As it is an ecoregional research unit, use and conservation of natural resources are part of the lines of research developed. In relation to agroecology, research is focused on food production, quality soils and integrated production systems. Work on organic food production at the Unit began with the use of mandalas, which are cultivation systems that combine vegetables, medicinal plants and flowers in the same circular space.

There is also research related to conservation strategies for Legal Reserve Areas (ARLs) and Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs), through Biodiverse Agroforestry Systems (SAFs). SAFs are agricultural production systems that combine the production of agricultural crops and trees in the same area, aiming to conserve soil, recover degraded areas and diversify agricultural production. Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste has been carrying out research in this area since the 1990s, with emphasis on SAFs with fruit species, which have high commercialization potential. 

Water resources 

One of the biggest impacts of agriculture on the quality of water resources (groundwater and surface water) occurs due to the possibility of contamination with pesticide residues. Due to this risk, Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste is working on a project to monitor the presence of pesticide residues in surface waters in Mato Grosso do Sul, the Dourados, Amambai and Ivinhema rivers, considered important sources of water capture for distribution to the population of some municipalities and a resource for maintaining biodiversity. The main result generated by the project is the monitoring of water quality every two weeks. This monitoring serves as an important subsidy to identify the possible impact of agricultural activities on the quality of water resources.

In order to make laboratory analyzes viable, a reference laboratory for the analysis and monitoring of pesticide residues in surface waters was built and equipped. Opened in June 2019, the Environmental Analysis Laboratory has 361m2. The financial resources for the construction of the new laboratory and the acquisition of equipment were made possible through a partnership between Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, Federal Public Ministry (MPF/MS), Public Ministry of Labor (MPT/MS), State Public Ministry of Mato Grosso do Sul (MP MS) and Dourados Environmental Institute (Imam).

Currently, the Unit's work is aimed at continuing to seek innovative solutions for tropical agriculture, with an emphasis on the production of food, fiber and energy in a sustainable and integrated way. Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste's focus is on reducing costs and using biological inputs and alternatives that generate less environmental impact. In addition, it works to develop public policies aimed at family farming and strengthening local production chains.