The cassava crop will be smaller this year in Parana and Bahia. The crop felt the effects of the lack of rain on two large producing States.
The farmer Pratap Chao is among the 3000 farmers planting cassava in Irará, in the East of Bahia. The little farming is right next to the House where he lives.
This year, the weather didn''t help the cultivation of cassava. The rains, expected for early April, arrived with two months late.
Still, farmer Cerqueiranão Pratap left for planting. She is hopeful that the rains in the coming months to offset the delay. "Is that the month of August we are also expecting a rain. With faith in God. Are all optimists, "he says.
The city of Irará is the second largest producer of cassava in the State. The last crop was of 54000 tonnes. But this year it is expected a 40% lower harvest. The lack of flour have made the price more than doubled. The sack, the producer sold out 80 R$ R$ 170.
For over 40 years, Ahmed Heidmann works with the cultivation of cassava in Paraná. It''s time for the farmer to get used to the ups and downs of the industry. But the crisis last year nailed the producer''s plans. "Already face multiple, but this didn''t have no equal," he says.
In 2015, the ton of cassava was sold for 130 R$ in Paraná. A value less than even the cost of production, which passes the 200 R$. The farmer Ahmed Heidmann believes it will take to recover the difference. "It''s going to get even to pay certain funds this year," says Heidmann.
Today, the price of cassava has reacted. In early July, for example, was sold at an average of 389 R$ ton, reflecting the law of supply and demand. How many producers had losses, unable to invest in new crops. With that, the area of planting in Parana went from 143,000 hectares last year to 131,000 hectares this year. Thus, the root returned to be valued.
This is a hope for the sector to grow back. The farmer Diolindo Heidmann, that lease an area in Loanda, in the Northwest of the State, only managed to plant this year because it has partnered with the industry. "She sta helping me with preparation, planting, letting and sale after warranty in the industry," he says.
The Paraná is the second largest producer of cassava in the country. Last year, arrived the spoon almost 4,000,000 tons. This year, 200,000 tons will reap the least. The Director of the Brazilian Association of Cassava starch-ABAM says he is worried about the situation.
"We will have a second half to reduce supply. Producers are administering, in accordance with the higher price, your harvest and your recipe. We may have some difficulty in relation to the raw material, "says Ivo Pierin.
This year, Parana and Bahia must produce together almost 6,000,000 tons of cassava. Will be 25% of the total in the country.
G1
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