A delegation of federal government ministers arrives today (23) in Rio Grande do Sul, where it will visit the city of Hulha Negra, on the border with Uruguay. Yesterday (22), the government announced the release of R$ 430 million to combat the effects of the drought that affects around 300 municipalities in the state for the third consecutive harvest.
The resources will be used in agriculture, social development and civil defense. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva authorized the transfer, after meeting ministers at the Alvorada Palace. Participants at the meeting evaluated the demands of mayors, deputies, councilors and rural worker organizations.
In an interview with Brazil Agency Last Tuesday (21), the Minister of Integration and Regional Development, Waldez Góes, said that of the municipalities affected, 28 had already presented their priority plan. To serve these municipalities, R$ 6.4 million were made available. The funds are being used to release water trucks and purchase food baskets.
The greatest losses affect soybean and corn crops, both fundamental to the municipality’s economy. There is also impairment of honey production and losses in dairy farming. The impacts affect at least 1,200 rural properties, more than 800 of which are small and located in settlements.
According to the Institute of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Emater), the estimated damage is almost R$ 5 million in dairy and beef cattle. Added to the damage to crops, the economic impact exceeds R$ 38 million. Still according to Emater, only in soybeans, losses already reach 40% in Black Coal production.
It is expected that, during the trip, measures to help those affected by the drought will be announced, including an emergency credit line for small and medium-sized producers. In early February, a delegation from Rio Grande do Sul was in Brasília in search of help for the state.
The ministers of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, Paulo Teixeira, should join the delegation to Rio Grande do Sul; of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro; of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Wellington Dias, and the Social Communication Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Paulo Pimenta, in addition to the president of the National Supply Company (Conab), Edgar Pretto.
