May 8, 2024
Losses from storms in Rio Grande do Sul have already exceeded R$569 million in damage to agriculture and livestock, as reported by the National Confederation of Municipalities (CNM), in data updated until May 7th. Among the private sectors affected, agriculture is the most affected with R$435 million in losses, followed by livestock farming with R$134.7 million.
The survey is partial, as of the 388 municipalities affected, 336 have, to date, had an abnormal situation recognized by the state and federal governments in a State of Public Calamity. But few of them were able to register information in the Ministry of Integration’s system. The total economy affected in the state, since April 29th, amounts to more than R$4.6 billion in financial losses.
According to André Corradini, agricultural engineer, master in knowledge management and coordinator of earth science courses at Uninter, Rio Grande do Sul is responsible for 70% of rice production in the country, in addition to having significant productions such as beans, wheat, corn, soy and dairy. Furthermore, it also has a smaller contribution, but which must be considered, in the supply of pork for national consumption.
“Planning for importing rice and beans will help with supply, but we may see a rise in prices soon. The losses of entire crops in the region, if we count in the medium term, should take around a year and a half to two years to begin recovery. Because floods damage the soil and wash away the fertilizer and the entire structure of soil matter.”, comments Corradini. (With image of Piratini Palace).
