São Paulo – Farmers from Minas Gerais are going to pick 7,000 tonnes of castor seeds for production of biodiesel. A group of almost 9,000 producers from the North and Northeast, and from Jequitinhonha Valley and Mucuri, planted 5,800 hectares. Production should be turned to the Petrobras Biodiesel mill in Montes Claros, in the state of Minas Gerais.
The figures are by the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Association of the state of Minas Gerais (Emater-MG). Producers received from the Emater technical assistance and also guidance to sell the product. Emater has an exclusive team to operate in biodiesel, which is made up of 90 people, of which 72 for field services.
One of the criteria for farmers to participate in the agreement between Petrobras and Emater-MG is that they continue cultivating other crops existing on the property, like beans and cassava, thus guaranteeing the basic food for their families. Other conditions for participation in the program are the use of correct and sustainable environmental management techniques.
Some of the farmers are also planting sunflower seed. The forecasted production is 848 tonnes. A total of 707 hectares were planted. In total, distribution reached 40 tonnes of castor seeds and three tonnes of sunflower seeds for cultivation. This information was published on the site of the government of the state of Minas Gerais.
The agreement signed by Petrobras Biofuels and Emater is for five years. In this period, the families of producers should have guaranteed income with castor and sunflower seeds. "In the agreement, Petrobras promises to buy 100% of the farmer produce. It is practically certain income," said Rafael da Silva Ramos de Oliveira, who promotes the project.
Farmer Ozório Teixeira dos Santos has in beans and pumpkin his main source of income. Now, with the opportunity proposed, he expects to pick two tonnes of castor seeds and thus make some more money. "Working with castor seeds is much easier than with other cultures," he said. "From now on I am no longer only dependent on the vegetable garden. I am going to have one more option for income," said the farmer.
*Translated by Mark Ament
