Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has launched an information platform covering El Niño and its potential impacts on agriculture. Developed with the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), the platform combines climate data, risk management tools, and technical guidance for the agricultural sector.
The platform covers climate conditions, rural credit, agricultural insurance, Agricultural Zoning for Climate Risk (Zarc), technical assistance, the Crop Plan, and the Green Path program. It also provides severe weather warnings, forecasts for Brazilian capitals, technical notes, an El Niño Panel, and agricultural technologies developed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
Mapa is also establishing a permanent climate risk management unit following recommendations from a Working Group created to monitor El Niño and develop measures to mitigate its effects on agriculture. The ministry's approach combines climate information, agricultural zoning, insurance, credit, research, technical assistance, and farm management practices.
Rural insurance is among the instruments included. Under legislation published on September 30, rural insurance will become part of the guarantees available for rural credit operations.
Insured credit operations may qualify for different interest rates, terms, and limits, as well as priority access to credit and the option to finance insurance premiums. Priority will be mandatory for certain extensions and renegotiations under rules established by the Executive Branch.
El Niño is associated with above-average warming of the Tropical Pacific Ocean, affecting rainfall and temperature patterns across Brazil. Expected impacts differ by region. Southern Brazil, a major grain-growing area, is expected to experience excessive rainfall, while the Center-South could face moderate drought and high temperatures.
The northern Southeast faces a risk of drought, while the Northeast and North, including the Amazon, could experience longer dry periods. The ministry said the platform is intended to support farm-level decisions and climate risk management as these conditions develop.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
