The 2024-2025 planting season has brought a series of challenges for farmers and agricultural professionals, particularly in the Integrated North region. Although early forecasts predicted the planting of 1.5 million hectares for soybeans, sorghum, and corn, only 90% of the planned area has been completed. The major hurdle has been the heavy rainfall, which has hindered fieldwork, particularly in Santa Cruz’s northern zone. This delay in planting could significantly impact crop yields and local markets.
According to Jaime Hernández, CEO of the National Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers (Anapo), the persistent rains have severely delayed planting operations in the Integrated North. The rains have also caused disruptions in the region’s productivity. While the northern zone has completed its planting activities, the Integrated North still faces delays that could further affect overall crop production.
Anapo’s latest report reveals that soybean planting, initially expected to cover 1.2 million hectares, has advanced by 90% in the eastern parts of the department of Cruz, and by 70% in the Integrated North. Despite these delays, the association considers soybean planting nearly finished, but the rains continue to slow progress, especially in the areas most affected by weather disruptions.
Sorghum planting, on the other hand, has been more successful. By early 2024, over 100,000 hectares were already planted, showing positive progress in this crop. However, the most significant concern remains the corn planting, with severe delays affecting the forecasted 100,000 hectares. Due to these setbacks, Anapo believes that only around 70,000-80,000 hectares will likely be planted in the Santa Cruz department.
The delay in corn production is a recurring issue, with the country unable to guarantee full domestic supply in recent years. As Hernández points out, this ongoing issue has intensified due to factors like foreign currency shortages. For this reason, the agricultural sector is calling for the approval of biotechnology in corn cultivation. Biotechnology could help boost production and reduce the dependence on imports to meet domestic demand, an issue further exacerbated by global trade constraints.
Anapo’s report indicates that corn production in 2024 is expected to fall by 43%, with an estimated total output of 313,421 tons, compared to 2023’s production. The average yield this season is forecast to be 2.65 quintals per hectare, a sharp decline from last year’s average of 3.73 quintals per hectare.
Despite the setbacks, the hope remains that with better management and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies, these challenges can be overcome. The integration of biotechnology into the farming sector could offer a pathway to more stable and resilient crop production in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
The 2024-2025 planting season highlights the ongoing challenges farmers face, from weather disruptions to the lack of crucial resources. While some crops like sorghum are progressing well, the delays in corn and soybean planting could have long-term impacts on local food production and supply. The need for technological advances, including the approval of biotechnology in agriculture, has never been more critical to ensure the stability and resilience of crop yields, especially under unpredictable climate conditions.
