Mamona helps to regenerate soils in the Cerrado

Castor bean is gaining ground as an alternative for soil regeneration in crop rotation systems in the Cerrado, with a focus on Bahia and Mato Grosso. The cultivation helps reduce compaction and increase water retention, bringing direct benefits to the sustainability of agricultural production. According to Igor Borges, head of sustainability at ORÍGEO — a joint venture between Bunge and UPL — castor bean has a deep root system, which aids in soil decompaction, natural nematode control, and even the recovery of degraded pastures. Additionally, the oilseed requires less water to complete its cycle and helps to better structure the soil in areas of low fertility. According to data from Conab, the planted area in Brazil reached 64.2 thousand hectares in the 2024/25 crop, an increase of 9.4% compared to the previous cycle. Productivity also increased, reaching 1,693 kg/ha. Bahia leads production, with 36.3 thousand tons, followed by Mato Grosso, with 1,814 tons. The market reinforces ...