Thursday February 3rd, 2022

Sustainable fruit production has always been a concern and a goal for Brazilian producers. Brazil is currently one of the main players and exporters of fresh fruit in the world, so fruit growers have increasingly opted for practices that ensure an agriculture production model that saves resources, reduces the emission of carbon into the atmosphere, thus reducing the greenhouse effect and preserving the environment in which they are inserted. Producers are also committed to safety aspects for the consumption of the fruits produced, taking special attention to the issue of pesticide residues, seeking, as far as technically possible, to replace chemical products by integrated pest and disease control systems that offer greater food safety concepts to consumers.

One of these practices is the use of bio farming inputs in fruit production, especially in viticulture (table grapes production). According to data outreached by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), there has been a growth of more than 30% in the use of bio farming inputs in the last 2 years. And still according to data from Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), the production of grapes in Brazil means more than 1.5 million tons/year, of which 50% is destined for processing, for the elaboration of wines, juices and other derivatives, and the other 50% marketed for fresh consumption . The fruit occupies an area of approximately 78 thousand hectares, with vineyards established throughout the national territory.

“The large volume of Brazilian table grape exports makes it necessary to equalize and create innovative strategies to ensure the economic sustainability for the entire supply chain. The use of bio farming inputs is a great ally. Since it reduces the cost of production, offers efficient pest and disease control, helps with soil fertility, plant nutrition and abiotic stresses, in addition to being non-toxic, which makes products even safer for consumption”, explains Jorge de Souza, responsible for the Frutas do Brasil project, a partnership between Abrafrutas and the Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).

What are bio farming inputs?

Bio farming inputs range from seeds, fertilizers, products for plant and animal nutrition, biological pesticides made from microorganisms to control plant pests and diseases , or even herbal products or technologies that have biological actives in their composition. Inoculants are products, processes or technologies that contain microorganisms applied to stimulate plant development.

They can be used throughout the crop cycle, even in pre – harvest periods and during harvest, without any risk of residues that could affect the health of the final consumer. The production process of these bio-inputs also contributes to the reduction of climate change, since it emits much less carbon than the manufacturing process of chemical phytosanitary products . “Today, thanks to the growth of the ORGANIC and natural products industry, it is possible to fight pests, diseases and reduce the amount of fertilizers, producing food free of residues. We are using nature itself to make agriculture both more sustainable and more profitable”, celebrates Antônio Zem , CEO of Biotrop , a Brazilian company that works with a focus on research and development of innovative solutions, with the aim of contributing to an agriculture more sustainable, healthy and regenerative. Antônio is also a producer of table grapes in the largest production center for this fruit in Brazil, the São Francisco River Valley, in the semi-arid region of Brazil.

More than 30 years of research

In Brazil, there are several research fronts and promotion of the use of bio-inputs . Embrapa has been investing in biological control research since the 1980s. There are around 30 units in various Brazilian regions, where the basic premise is to control agricultural diseases and pests, as well as disease-transmitting insects, using their antagonists. and natural enemies. It is a rational and healthy control method that does not leave residues in food and is harmless to the environment and the health of the population.

There is also the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Bio Farming Inputs Program , which aims to expand and strengthen the use of these products to promote the sustainable development of Brazilian agriculture. Through the program, it is possible to access via the application the list of products of biological origin indicated for each purpose, such as nutrition, pest and disease control, among others. The idea is to consolidate a national catalog of biological inputs, facilitating access to a broad base of information, easily, quickly and free of charge, for use in agricultural production, storage and processing of agricultural products.

The strengthening of the use of bio-inputs in Brazilian agriculture follows a global trend in the agricultural sector in the search for increased productivity, combined with cost reduction and the development of planting systems based on more sustainable resources. The evaluation is made by the Secretary of Innovation, Fernando Camargo, when projecting advances in the sustainability of Brazilian agriculture.

According to the National Bio Farming Inputs Program, the number of biological pesticides registered with the ministry has increased. There are 265 products, including bio-insecticides and bio-fungicides , and 315 inoculants , a biological input that contains microorganisms with beneficial action for plant growth.

The registration of a pesticide , in Brazil, goes through procedures of evaluation of effectiveness and application in the field evaluated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply ( MAPA ). Regarding the degree of toxicity for humans, the analysis is the responsibility of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the assessment of toxicological impacts on the environment is the responsibility of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).

Fruit production in Brazil is sustainable, safe, as well as very healthy and with a huge diversity of incredible and exotic flavors.