Governor Elmano de Freitas met with the leadership of Ceará-based Itaueira Agropecuária, including founder Carlos Prado and his sons Tom, Carlos, and José Luís, on October 30th at the Palácio da Abolição. The session focused on the company's project in Morada Nova, poised to launch melon and watermelon production by next September.
The governor was informed that Itaueira, having suspended operations in Ceará in 2016 due to water shortages, is reinitiating cultivation efforts, employing 1,250 workers with formal contracts. By September, the harvest will begin, aiming for export primarily, as Brazilian demand is fulfilled by farms in Bahia and Piauí.
This year alone, investments in Morada Nova reached approximately US$14.5 million, with an additional US$7.3 million forecasted over the next two years for the 3,000-hectare development that could employ 3,000 people. Apart from fruits, the company also produces fruit juices, vitamin C from acerola cherries, and colorful peppers in Ceará. Other operations include shrimp farming in Rio Grande do Norte and honey production in Bahia and Piauí under the Rei brand.
Exclusive seeds, selected by Itaueira's technical team after disease resistance and flavor tests, are cultivated in proprietary nurseries. "Each seed is cultivated and each seedling is monitored daily," states the company's website. The facilities minimize insect intrusion, negating the necessity for insecticide application.
Drones are utilized for overseeing plot developments, identifying issues promptly for correction. Additionally, microorganisms enhance soil biota, promoting productivity sustainably. Seedlings are planted in beds to facilitate root development and covered with plastic mulch to manage moisture and weed growth, reducing the reliance on chemical herbicides.
Irrigation is computer-automated, delivering precise water and nutrient mixes through drip systems tailored to plant growth stages. The company also strives to minimize pesticide application: "We only apply pesticides when it is really necessary… preference to the use of biological products."
Fruits are monitored meticulously and harvested at peak ripeness, adhering to Tom Prado's commitment to only market-ready produce.
Source: Abrafrutas
