Senave: Agrochemicals applied in Paraguay are less harmful

The active ingredients used in agrochemicals in Paraguay are mostly classified the green and yellow category (the less harmful for human health), according to the analysis of 3,000  importation forms registered in 2013, which revealed that 280,000 tons of products such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides were introduced.

The greater resistance of weeds in soybean crops causes an increase in the importation of herbicides, especially glyphosate, according to data from the National Direction of Agrochemical Service of Vegetal and Seeds Health (Senave).

These products are toxic depending on the level of dose applied to the plantations. To do this, you should follow the technical recommendation and the label of the products that come with their relevant indications when spraying.
 
Glyphosate with blend of 62%, classified as green category product, registered an income of 88,441 tons during 2013, being the main ingredient imported last year. Due to the mono- application of glyphosate as an active ingredient in weed control, the soy plantations have created resistance to this product and in consequence it has been necessary to use again other chemical products to blend and achieve more effective control in the elimination of weeds that stop the productivity.

Paraquat 42%, classified in the yellow category, with an import of 3,966 tons in 2013, is another product of high demand. The mix of the herbicide Paraquat 12% with 8% Diquat (yellow category), is also another highly demanded product.

The income volume of chemical products for agriculture suffered a retraction of 20% in 2013, taking into account that around 240,000 tons were imported. Agrochemicals import business reached $576 million in 2013.

According to official sources from Senave, the apparent reduction of  the entry of products responds directly to the hard drought faced in 2012 which is the reason why big volumes of products remained with no sales. At that time, the low value of the dollar favored the increased of the entry of these products.