Three pesticides authorized for minor crops in Brazil

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Three agrochemicals have had their use extended to cultures with insufficient phytosanitary support (CSFI), also known as minor crops. 

Two are fungicides, one being the Mancozeb Nortox 800 WP (registration No. 11619) for papaya and pear cultures. The other is a natural fungicide based on the essential oil of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant for the cultivation of mango, passion fruit, carrot, avocado and onion.

The third-use extension is a 500 EC pyrimiphos-methyl insecticide for the cultivation of sorghum. The decision was taken by the Department of Plant Health and Agricultural Inputs, of the Secretariat for Agricultural Defense, an organ of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

“CSFIs are not economically attractive for private research in the development and recommendation of pesticides as they are planted in smaller areas compared to large crops, such as soybeans and corn. This makes the availability of products for pest control difficult, and also becomes a problem for the farmers of these crops,” explained the general coordinator of Pesticides and Related Products, Bruno Breitenbach.

However, these are important crops because they are present on the tables of citizens from all over the world, and they are often crops of high added value, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and others. “Minor crops are also attacked by pests and diseases that reduce their productivity. As there are no registered products, producers often use products that are not allowed and in untested doses,” Breitenbach emphasized.

With the extensions approved today, crop producers will now be able to use these products in the correct doses and with the guarantee that these foods will be safe for consumption.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) has been looking for alternatives to solve the problem locally. Since 2014, it established, by regulation, guidelines and requirements for the registration of crop protection products for CSFIs, as well as defining joint actions by the government, rural producers and the agrochemical industry to direct and stimulate research.

“The extension of the use of pesticides for crops with insufficient phytosanitary support is the result of a government policy and actions in partnership with academia, rural producers and industry,” he added.