Rye cultivation in Brazil gains agricultural zoning for climate risk

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) of Brazil has introduced the Agricultural Zoning of Climate Risk (Zarc) for rye crops, providing information on suitable sowing periods and municipalities for growing rye in nine states and the Federal District. The Zarc was developed with the production sector's demand, considering climate risks such as frost, water deficit, and excess rain. Rye, which is suitable for both human and animal consumption, has seen a decline in cultivation due to changes in eating habits and lower productivity compared to other cereals. However, there has been increased interest in rye due to its hardiness and adaptability to chemically poor soils and drier environments. The Zarc can be accessed for free on the Zarc Plantio Certo mobile app.

The Agricultural Zoning of Climate Risk (Zarc) for rye crops was published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) this Tuesday (14). Thus, the sowing periods and municipalities suitable for growing the cereal in nine states of the federation and in the Federal District are included in the document. On the same day, the ministry also published the zoning for canola. The studies for rye were coordinated by Embrapa Trigo (Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul) within the scope of the Zarc Research and Development Network, with support from the Ministry and the Central Bank. Mapa highlights that the Zarc for the crop was a demand from the production sector and should help boost production in the country. The studies took into account the risks of frost during earing, water deficit at establishment and in the grain filling phase, and excess rain during harvest. Through climate risk analysis, favorable environments for rye production were identified, considering soil classes, ...