Minas Gerais to improve sustainable practices in agriculture

Development Bank of Minas Gerais (BDMG) and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) have launched, today, the LabAgroMinas program in order to promote sustainable practices in Minas Gerais state.

The project will support new technologies adoption by farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), promote soil regeneration and ensure high crops performance.

Through LabAgroMinas, producers can access more sustainable practices and receive technical assistance by Embrapa. In turn, BDMG will develop credit solutions via local credit institutions.

The program will initially have a duration of five years. During the first two years, the project will receive 200,000 euros from the European Union, in partnership with LAIF (French Development Agency).

“As an institution committed to sustainable development, BDMG seeks, with LabAgroMinas, to encourage rural producers to adopt innovative technologies, increasing productivity and improving local input supply chains”, says Marcelo Bomfim, president of BDMG.

The plan previews new lines of credit that can contribute to sustainable territorial development, in line with the guidelines of the Government of Minas, to seek the continuous reduction of GHG emissions in the state.

The focus technologies are aligned with ABC + Program, including solutions for soil and climate, as well as intensive and/or integrated production systems, such as crop and livestock integration and crop, livestock and forestry integration.

Regions

At the beginning, Triângulo Mineiro, Alto Paranaíba and Noroeste de Minas were the regions chosen to receive LabAgroMinas. In total, 18 projects will be selected on medium and large grain farms (over 500 hectares).

“Soybean, corn and bean crops are very representative, as they account for around 64% of Minas Gerais agricultural production, and these regions concentrate around 90% of the state’s grain production”, details the chief general of Embrapa Cerrados, Sebastião Pedro da Silva Neto.

According to the innovation support coordinator at Embrapa Cerrados, Chang Wilches, Embrapa will train 60 technical assistance professionals and install Experimental Agroinnovation Units on rural properties as of May.

(com informações do BDMG)