Farmers receive agricultural equipment.

The state government, through the SAF System (comprising the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture – SAF; the State Agency for Agricultural Research and Rural Extension – Agerp; and the Institute for Colonization and Lands of Maranhão – Iterma), as part of the 'More Production' Program, delivered 50 brush cutters, a brush shredder, and a harrow to small rural producers in the village of Banto, in Turiaçu, with the aim of strengthening the pineapple production chain and ensuring the development of rural properties.

February 09, 2017, 17:52 PMUpdated June 28, 2018, 08:03 pm

The state government, through the SAF System (comprising the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture – SAF; the State Agency for Agricultural Research and Rural Extension – Agerp; and the Institute for Colonization and Lands of Maranhão – Iterma), as part of the actions of the 'More Production' Program, delivered 50 brush cutters, a brush shredder, and a harrow to small rural producers in the village of Banto, in Turiaçu, with the aim of strengthening the pineapple production chain and ensuring the development of rural properties (Photo: Leonardo Lucena).

The state government, through the SAF System (composed of the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture – SAF; State Agency for Agricultural Research and Rural Extension – Agerp and Institute of Colonization and Lands of Maranhão – Iterma), carried out, last Monday (6), as part of the actions of the 'More Production' Program, the delivery of agricultural equipment to small rural producers in the village of Banto, in Turiaçu, with the aim of strengthening the pineapple production chain and guaranteeing the development of rural properties.

Fifty brush cutters, a brush shredder, and a disc harrow were delivered, which will contribute to local production by encouraging the use of sustainable soil management practices, preventing burning, assisting in planting, improving the surface cleaning process, and increasing soil quality.

The signing ceremony for the transfer of use and donation of the equipment was conducted by the Secretary of State for Family Agriculture, Adelmo Soares, and the president of Agerp, Júlio Cesar Mendonça, along with leaders of rural workers' unions, municipal representatives, and associations of local producers and those from neighboring municipalities. On the occasion, Adelmo Soares highlighted the importance of this further action by the State government in support of family farmers in Turiaçu.

“We are here once again to reaffirm Governor Flávio Dino's commitment to the rural population. Just like all of us in the SAF System, who work for the benefit of people who have been forgotten for many years, we have come to make a difference in the lives of more than 50 farmers, who have received these machines so they can expand their production and further strengthen the image of Turiaçu,” said the secretary.

The president of the rural producers' associations of the village of Banta, Natalino Filho, emotionally thanked everyone on behalf of the local farmers. “In all these years, I have never seen a government representative do all this for Turiaçu. And we all know that this is just the beginning of a future of change, focused on our pineapple, as well as all the potential of our municipality,” he said.

According to the president of Agerp, Júlio Cesar Mendonça, the continuous development of production chains is one of the ways to provide employment, income, and a better quality of life for rural families. “We have to provide financial incentives, equipment, and management and marketing techniques, always thinking about strengthening the production of a nationally recognized fruit, such as the Turiaçu pineapple. Governor Flávio Dino encourages us and provides the conditions every day so that we can transform the reality of our farmers,” the president emphasized.

Pineapple production chain

In 2016, the State Government, through the Mais Produção Program, invested R$ 1 million to support the pineapple production chain in Turiaçu, benefiting 200 farmers in the village of Nova Coreia, also located in the municipality. The farmers secured the purchase of a tractor, a refrigerated truck, support for 50 families, training on the production chain, and access to technical assistance.

Source: Ascom