Irregular rainfall challenges rice and bean planting in the country; see the situation by state

The progress of rice and bean planting follows a different pace among the regions of the country. In the South, excess humidity hinders the use of machinery, while in parts of the Midwest and Southeast, the rain begins to favor fieldwork. According to data from the National Supply Company (Conab), while 13.4% of the area has been planted with rice, 16.9% of the bean crops have already been sown. Rural Channel meteorologist Arthur Müller assesses that conditions should improve in the coming weeks, with an optimistic outlook for the remainder of October. Rio Grande do Sul, the main producing state, has 38% of the area sown, according to Conab. In the central-south of the state, the steadier weather has allowed for the advancement of operations, while in the north and central regions, high humidity still hinders the use of machinery. "These cloudy days reduce the luminosity and impact the development of the plants. In addition, the excess humidity favors pests such as snails and ...