Brazil: Drought worries artichoke growers

The amount of rain has been lower than expected in recent years in São Roque (SP), much less than artichokes need. The edible flower is in the development period and will be harvested in September. The irrigation system is helping producers. At this time of year, sprinklers are on longer. A producer installed a diesel engine, and sprinklers with thinner nozzles to use as little water as possible. The problem is that there is not always water, because the level of rivers and streams in the region is lower. (Video: see the report shown on the program on 07/31/2022) Even with farmers reducing the planted area, São Roque is the second largest producer of artichokes in the country. The areas where the flowers are harvested supply restaurants in the municipality during the winter. With the use of irrigation, production became more expensive, despite the fact ...