<\/p>\n
This Thursday (October 23rd) marks National Direct Planting Day, an agricultural system that has revolutionized soil management in Brazil since the 1970s and made the country a world reference in productivity with environmental conservation. In times of growing global demand for food, preserving the soil is more than a technique; it is a commitment to the future, defended and encouraged by the Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (Aprosoja MT).<\/p>\n
The No-Till Farming system (NTFS) consists of sowing crops directly onto the stubble of the previous harvest, without tilling the soil, conserving soil fertility, reducing erosion, increasing water infiltration, and retaining carbon in the soil. According to Jorge Diego Giacomelli, 2nd Administrative Director of Aprosoja MT, no-till farming is one of the pillars of sustainable agriculture in Mato Grosso.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Mato Grosso, this is a revolution, because the soils of the Cerrado are very poor in fertility, and no-till farming greatly increases this fertility and allows for crop succession. To achieve two harvests, we generally use no-till farming. Soybeans on top of corn stubble and corn on top of soybean stubble. And this contributes to increased productivity, carbon sequestration in the crop, and profitability for the producer,\u201d said Jorge.<\/p>\n
According to Giacomelli, Aprosoja MT has been strengthening the use of no-till farming through the Parecis and Araguaia Technological Centers (CTECNOs), research units maintained by the organization. \u201cThe CTECNOs develop research directly related to no-till farming. The Research Centers study the best crop residues for soil cover and then disseminate the results of the studies to producers. Technical Roundtables are also held in all the centers spread throughout Mato Grosso, demonstrating the results and encouraging producers to apply these techniques on their properties. This makes agriculture in Mato Grosso more sustainable and more profitable from an economic point of view,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
According to Jorge Diego Giacomelli, the organization's next steps involve intensifying research and expanding the adoption of the system, aiming to keep Mato Grosso at the forefront of sustainable production.<\/p>\n
\u201cAprosoja MT, through its CTECNOs, will continue to promote research and Technical Roundtables to exchange ideas with producers, because much evolution happens within the farms. The producer is a teacher, a scientist who is there every day, bringing techniques that improve activities and production. And when he does this, he shares it with others and with the entity itself so that we can further develop these practices within Mato Grosso farms. This is already the present and will certainly be the future of Mato Grosso agriculture. No-till farming is directly linked to production, soil conservation, profitability, and sustainability,\u201d the director concluded.<\/p>\n
Gilson Antunes de Melo, vice-president for the western region of Aprosoja MT and a rural producer, is one of those who adopted the system on his property and affirms that the change brought noticeable gains.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo-till farming is one of the best things that has happened in agriculture in recent times, because everyone who uses this system benefits. You don't till the soil, so the environment wins. You have security in planting because you have a layer of straw on the soil that keeps it moister and the soil temperature lower, favoring the emergence of the plant you are cultivating. And certainly less use of machinery, less use of fuel and even a decrease in production costs. We use no-till farming in 100% of our areas because we understand that it is the best way to produce safely and help the environment,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
In addition to increased productivity, Gilson highlights the positive environmental impact and the concern of Mato Grosso's rural producers for the environment. \u201cMore than just improving crops, producers are also concerned about the environment. The figures for no-till farming show that it can sequester almost two tons of carbon dioxide. And this concern is present throughout the state, demonstrating the farmers' concern for the environment and nature,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
With the celebration of National Direct Planting Day, Aprosoja Mato Grosso reinforces its commitment to promoting increasingly sustainable and efficient agriculture, connected to good soil and natural resource management practices for future generations.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n