A
midst all grains, the black bean
is still the one that uses the low-
estpercentageofcertifiedseeds,
approximately 19 percent, but
there has been progress over
the past 10 years. This is what is ascertained
by researcher Alcido ElenorWander, chief ex-
ecutive at Embrapa Rice and Bean, based in
Santo Antônio de Goiás (GO). He observes
that in 2010 the said ratewas still 11 percent.
The production of seeds, in turn, is equal-
ly soaring, and has almost doubled from the
2015/16season to2016/17, according todata
released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Live-
stockandFoodSupply (Mapa).
Theproduct isdestined for domesticuse,
and there is hardly any register of exports.
“Carioca” commercial beans are the most
cultivated inBrazil, followedbyblackbeans.
With regard to commerce, Wander refers to
difficulties. “Considering that there are dif-
ferent types of grains, the bean seedmarket
has not been very attractive to the compa-
nies of the sector”, he comments. Anyway,
Forthe
benefit
ofall
Utilizationrateofcertified
black bean
seedislowin
theCountry,buttheprocesshasbeenimprovinginthepast10years
Sílvio Ávila
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