Santaní farmers enhance soil for corn planting

In Santaní, Paraguay, farmers dedicated to family agriculture are intensely working on sustainable soil management practices. This season, they are preparing plots for corn cultivation, focusing on improving the land's health for optimal yields.

The agricultural producers are currently engaged in cleaning their fields, applying lime, and sowing fast-growing green manure crops. These practices are designed to enhance the soil quality in areas designated for corn planting. The project receives technical assistance from the Directorate of Agrarian Extension (DEAg), which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).

One participating organization, the María Auxiliadora Committee in the Calle 8.000 Defensor community, comprises 25 members. Their association is part of the third phase of the Sustainable Natural Resources Management Project (PMRN), promoted by the MAG. Ángel González, the organization's president, stated that soil preparation, including liming and sowing green manures like black oats, forage radish, and millet, is nearing completion. He noted these crops grow quickly and significantly improve the soil.

The project's initial goal is to cultivate 25 hectares of corn, with each producer responsible for one hectare. Planting is scheduled to begin after the second half of August and continue through September. González highlighted that the farmers are finishing the most challenging part – soil preparation – following technical recommendations. DEAg officials from Santaní provide assistance, while the MAG supplies inputs, seeds, and necessary materials.

Miguel Ángel Rivas, an agricultural engineer and technician from DEAg supporting the farmers, explained that the project's primary objective is to encourage direct corn sowing. The initiative also covers other crops grown in the region. Óscar López, the regional manager for DEAg, mentioned that in the southern part of San Pedro department, small producers plan to plant approximately 2,000 hectares of corn, not including larger commercial farms.

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In its majority, the farmers who make up this work team are already completing the most difficult part, which is soil preparation with the required technical recommendations, for which we are receiving assistance from the officials of the Directorate of Agrarian Extension of Santaní, plus the support of the MAG, which provides us with the inputs, seeds, and work elements.