In the land of soy, beef and cellulose, peanuts take root and consolidate Mato Grosso do Sul as the second largest producer in legume, in shell, in Brazil, second only to São Paulo. Planting, until then restricted to small areas on family farms in Mato Grosso do Sul, occupied around 21 thousand hectares in the last harvest and the goal for this year is to exceed 40 thousand hectares.
The promotion of the expansion of peanut cultivation in Mato Grosso do Sul is a policy of diversification of the agricultural production base implemented by the State Government, through Semadesc (Secretariat of Environment, Development, Science, Technology and Innovation).
Government encourages diversification with a focus on peanuts
On Friday (24), at the opening of the 2nd Peanut Day, the executive secretary of Sustainable Economic Development at Semadesc, Rogério Beretta, presented the actions developed by the state administration in a lecture at the Amendoglória headquarters, in Glória de Dourados.
Aimed at local farmers, the event features a diverse program, with lectures given by renowned experts and debates on innovations in peanut cultivation. According to organizer Rogério Hidalgo, from Amendoglória, the idea arose as a way to offer more information to producers who already work in the segment or who want to enter the activity.
In front of an audience of over a thousand visitors, Beretta presented data on the state's agriculture, especially in the peanut sector, addressing the need for industrialization and the government's programs and policies to attract businesses. He emphasized that the government has invested in the diversification of plantations.
“New crop opportunities are emerging in Mato Grosso do Sul. We started working with peanuts about four years ago, holding lectures and encouraging producers. We have already managed to attract a company to process them in the state, and we want others to come as well. We closed last year with over 20 thousand hectares planted and, according to Conab’s forecast, this year we will surpass 40 thousand hectares. We have available area to expand even further,” highlighted the executive secretary of Semadesc.
Sustainability and new opportunities in peanut cultivation
Peanuts are also widely seen as a viable alternative for the intensification of pasture areas. Furthermore, “they are an excellent option for sandy areas, where the risk of soybean planting is greater. This event, in turn, is fully aligned with the Government’s strategy of diversifying our product basket. As a result, peanut crops are growing rapidly, thanks to the support of research institutions and technical assistance agencies. This has allowed for sustainable growth, with the adoption of technology and the consequent reduction of risks”, Beretta pointed out.
Additionally, the event was attended by Fernando Nascimento, coordinator of Prosolo (State Plan for Soil and Water Management and Conservation). In this context, he highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable practices. In fact, these practices are essential for the expansion of peanut cultivation in the state.
Alternative for the summer harvest
Secretary Jaime Verruck, from Semadesc, highlighted the progress of the legume crop in the state. “Peanuts are becoming a significant alternative for the summer harvest in Mato Grosso do Sul. We have irrigated and dryland areas, and we are perhaps the state with the highest growth rate in the area planted with peanuts in the country,” he emphasized.
He recalled that the government attracted a peanut processing industry, Casul, which is being implemented in Bataguassu. “Casul is a traditional peanut exporting cooperative and, with its arrival, we created a production chain. Currently, food industries in the state process peanuts coming from other states, but we want local production to meet this demand”, he assessed.
Verruck highlighted the importance of events such as Field Days. “They are essential for presenting technologies, profitability and production potential. Mato Grosso do Sul stands out in peanut cultivation, which has a great capacity for integration with sugarcane plantation reform, as is the case in São Paulo. Reformed areas can be partially used for peanut production, expanding the possibilities for producers,” he concluded.
According to data from the National Supply Company (Conab) for the 2024/2025 harvest, the cultivation of 1st crop peanuts in Mato Grosso do Sul shows significant growth in relation to the previous harvest.
In terms of harvested area, the projection is 42.3 thousand hectares. This represents an increase of 99.5% compared to the 21.2 thousand hectares recorded in the 2023/2024 harvest. In terms of estimated production, the expectation is 95.7 thousand tons in the 2024/2025 harvest. This number exceeds the 42.5 thousand tons of the previous harvest by 126.5%.
Source: Notícias Agrícolas
