An entity of professionals assured that in critical areas the disaster is insurmountable. They want to prevent it from further expanding.
Agronomists are dissatisfied with the treatment that the Bioeconomy area gave to the serious problem caused this year by the “corn leafhopper” or Dalbulus maidis, the insect vector of the bacteria that causes Spiroplasmosis, according to Bichos de campo.
According to a note published by the Argentine Center of Agricultural Engineers (Cadia), the formation of a “public-private crisis committee with the aim of coordinating efforts to alleviate the damage” is a late measure that will no longer resolve the loss of more than 6.5 million tons of corn, according to BCR estimates, although there are already estimates that speak of double that.
“We are putting out a fire that has already become widespread. With very significant losses that are added to the drought and unfavorable prices for local production. The lower production will influence the prices of livestock and poultry that use corn as an input and there will be a lower volume of grain for export with lower income for the Argentine economy. They didn’t see her coming. Leaving circular agriculture has its cost,” they indicated in the statement.
Faced with this, they pointed out that the creation of an early warning system would be “effective in combating the expansion of the pest to temperate zones and its effects on seedlings.” This would allow for a permanent battle against the insect vector that is already installed in the north of the country, as well as allowing greater speed in the approval of new products that are effective in controlling the pest and protecting the plant from the disease.
“Prevention is necessary to avoid irreversible damage and crop monitoring is an indispensable tool,” they stated.
They also indicated that based on the experience in this campaign it will be necessary to “recalculate and analyze the productive technology, its effect on production and the influence on the environment: the Direct Sowing System? What corn is being planted and are there hybrids that behave better against the pest? Review the extended planting period (first, second, late corn)? Crop rotations and association with livestock? For those who grow crops for their own use, replace corn with sorghum.”
In parallel, they stressed that for the next campaign and the future of subsequent ones, it will be important to “consider lines of credit for the most affected producers.”
#Argentina
