Tobacco: off-season in Rio Grande do Sul could yield R$ 287 million to producers

The expectation is that the cultivation of corn, beans, soybeans and pastures after the tobacco harvest in the three southern Brazilian states will generate R$ 600 million. In Paraná, numbers will be released on May 3rd, in Imbituva, and on May 4th, in Santa Catarina, in the municipality of Agronômica

The president of SindiTabaco, Iro Schünke, presented the data collected. According to him, 96,620 hectares were cultivated in Rio Grande do Sul, including corn, beans, soybeans and pastures, with an estimated yield of R$ 287 million. He also pointed out that, in the three southern states of Brazil, there were 190,360 hectares, and the yield for producers should reach R$ 600 million. “The tobacco sector has always supported diversification, as long as it offers real income to producers. Recent research has shown that 79% of producers do some type of crop rotation to reduce the proliferation of pests, diseases and weeds and that around 50% guarantees income from products other than tobacco, significantly increasing their income”, commented Schünke, evaluating although in addition to corn, beans and pastures, producers have also adopted soybean cultivation in areas where tobacco was harvested.

Ernani Polo, State Secretary of SEAPI/RS, spoke about the entities' involvement in supporting producers. “It is actions like this that provide conditions for Rio Grande do Sul to continue to be a protagonist in the rural area. The integration between the entities has yielded results in several areas”, he said. “Rio Grande do Sul is among the states with the greatest diversity of production. In the past, tobacco producers were discriminated against. But this is no longer the reality of the State government. We value culture and our doors are open, as we know that agriculture is what sustains the economy of Rio Grande do Sul and tobacco production plays a very important role in this sense”, he highlighted. 

Marco Dornelles, vice-president of Afubra, spoke of the great importance of the program and highlighted the role of the producer. “The different production chains happen in association within the same property and it is the farmer who makes this whole process happen,” he said.

FARSUL representative, Mauro Flores, stated that partnerships are very important in these programs, as they promote alternatives. “Farsul is a partner in encouraging new crops and new technologies that generate income for producers,” he said. In turn, Fetag representative, Aldemir Santos, reinforced the importance of agricultural advisors in taking diversification work to the countryside. “They are the children of our small producers who prepared themselves and who continue to work in the field as intermediaries between companies and producers, encouraging diversification”, he assessed, welcoming the partners.

State deputy Edson Brum recalled the important profitability of tobacco cultivation for small producers and also for the region. “We have the largest industrial park in the tobacco sector in the world and we will remain committed to this culture that values diversification and the environment,” he said.

SURVEY DATA
A survey carried out by SindiTabaco recorded grain production figures in tobacco-producing areas and income estimates for producers. According to the research, the Gaucho harvest saw the planting of 62,770 hectares of corn and 4,380 hectares of beans. In Rio Grande do Sul, with an average corn productivity estimated at 6.8 tons per hectare, the volume will reach 426,836 tons. Considering the average price of R$ 527.00 per ton, the total corn harvest in Rio Grande do Sul could reach R$ 225 million. In relation to beans, productivity is estimated at 2.3 tons per hectare, with a harvest of 10,075 tons. At an average price of R$ 3,970.00 per ton, the Rio Grande do Sul bean harvest could reach approximately R$ 40 million. 

Considering the tobacco producing regions of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, 111 thousand hectares of corn and 16 thousand hectares of beans, 49 thousand hectares of pasture and 14 thousand hectares of soybeans were cultivated, with an expected yield of R$ 415 million for corn and R$ 128 million for beans. After the harvest, the tobacco producer also cultivates other grains, with emphasis on soybeans, which will yield around R$ 57 million on the almost 14 thousand hectares planted. There is also significant cultivation of pastures to feed animals. The survey showed that in Rio Grande do Sul, 23 thousand hectares are used for pastures and, in the three southern Brazilian states, the sum reaches almost 50 thousand hectares. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM – Conducted by SindiTabaco, the Corn and Beans Program was created to encourage diversification and optimization in the use of resources on rural properties. In Rio Grande do Sul, the state government, Afubra, Fetag-RS and the Agriculture Federation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Farsul) are partners. The action brings together the field structure of tobacco companies and supporting entities, which publicize the advantages of planting safrinha and encourage the practice of property diversification. 

ADVANTAGES FOR THE PRODUCER – Cultivation in areas where tobacco was harvested reduces grain production costs, as residual use of applied fertilizers occurs. Consequently, there may be a cost reduction in the production of protein (meat, milk and eggs), with the use of off-season corn in animal care. Other benefits are soil protection and interruption of the pest and weed proliferation cycle.