Embrapa advises soybean farmers to reduce the impacts of El Niño on crops in the South

Embrapa published a technical note with guidelines to help producers of soybeans and other crops in the South region to reduce the impacts of El Niño, which is estimated to remain between 97% and 99% until the beginning of 2027. According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is still a 63% probability of the phenomenon reaching very strong intensity between November 2026 and January 2027. The scenario foresees an increase in rainfall, greater cloudiness and above-average temperatures, conditions that could compromise crop development.

Prepared by seven Embrapa units, the document highlights that planning is the main tool for avoiding losses. For soybean cultivation, recommendations include improving drainage in cultivation areas, adopting soil conservation practices to reduce erosion, intensifying monitoring of diseases favored by humidity and adjusting management according to climate forecasts.

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The publication also reinforces the importance of following the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), monitoring official weather reports and adapting investments to the production potential expected in El Niño years. Embrapa advises that decisions on the use of inputs and productivity expectations are compatible with the expected weather conditions, reducing the economic risks of the activity.

According to researcher Gilberto Cunha, from Embrapa Trigo, the knowledge accumulated about previous events allows producers to adopt preventive measures capable of minimizing losses and, in some cases, even taking advantage of favorable conditions for certain crops. The proposed strategy combines prevention, mitigation and risk transfer instruments, such as rural insurance.

In addition to recommendations focused on properties, the technical note encourages actions to conserve soil and water, strengthen natural infrastructure and adopt more resilient production systems. For Embrapa, El Niño should not be seen as an inevitable problem, but as a climate event that requires planning, constant monitoring and adoption of good practices to preserve the productivity of soybean crops.

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