Watermelon has new agricultural zoning validated and expanded

The Ordinances No. 419 a 484, with the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), crop year 2020/2021, for watermelon cultivation. In December, five Zarc virtual meetings were held for watermelon cultivation, with the aim of establishing the new recommended planting period for the five regions of Brazil. Until then, the information available on Zarc for watermelon was for only three states in the country. 

Researcher Carlos Ricardo Fietz, from Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, explains that in Mato Grosso do Sul two zoning proposals were presented, one for watermelon in hot climate conditions (more common) and another for watermelon in mild or cold climates, more specific to the south of the state, from April to August. 

According to Fietz, the Zarc simulation models were made for two different management conditions, that is, for rainfed crops and irrigated crops. “Irrigation should be viewed favorably, as it greatly reduces the risk of losses in watermelon crops,” he says. 

Researcher Éder Comunello, also from Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, explains that Zarc's results for Mato Grosso do Sul are very different from the current ones and there have been many changes. According to him, the three main risk factors evaluated in this research were: water deficiency, frost and rain during the harvest period. He also highlights the relevance of validating results with producers. 

The general head of Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, Harley Nonato de Oliveira, emphasizes the importance of investments in the construction of two new lysimeters in the Unit. Lysimeters are equipment installed in the field that measure the water consumption of crops. 

According to Harley, this equipment will enable even greater improvement in Zoning. “Lysimeters are fundamental tools for research,” she adds. According to him, one of Embrapa's priorities is to contribute to public policies through scientific information that enables the sustainable production of agricultural systems. 

Zarc's 2020 balance sheet

In 2020, 484 Zarc ordinances were published, which represents an increase of 24% compared to the previous year. Embrapa's Zarc network involved 32 company units in Zoning research and development, which generated 11 new studies of annual and perennial cropping systems: tropical irrigated rice, oats, cashew, barley, castor bean, semi-arid castor bean, watermelon, millet, 1st harvest corn, 2nd harvest corn and sorghum. These cultures went through a validation process, in total there were 58 validation meetings with 2.032 participants.

Other crops had ordinances updated by Mapa this year: herbaceous cotton, peanuts, rice, cassava, intercropping corn with brachiaria, beans, cowpea, sunflower and soybeans.     

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 Informática Agropecuária (Campinas/SP), is available in application stores: iOS e Android 

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