Portugal Approves Strategy to Increase Self-Sufficiency in Grains
In Portugal, the level of self-sufficiency in grain crops remains low: only 19% of the necessary volumes are covered by domestic production, and the situation is even more challenging with wheat — the country is only 5% self-sufficient. To change this situation, the government recently approved a resolution that outlines a new strategy for the sustainable development of grain production.
This is reported by AgroReview
Main Directions of the Grain Sector Development Strategy
According to the adopted document, the government plans to simplify the licensing procedures for hydraulic infrastructure, which should promote the expansion of irrigated areas. Special attention is given to supporting producers by increasing their incomes and developing certified seeds and national crop genetics.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that the use of biotechnology is one of the key ways to enhance the resilience of agriculture to climate change, pests, and diseases, as well as allowing for the production of more food with fewer resource expenditures.
“The use of biotechnology is one of the ways to enhance the resilience of agriculture, respond to climate change, pests, and diseases, and meet the need to produce more food with fewer resource expenditures.”
Innovation, Risk Management, and Enhancing Competitiveness
The strategy includes the implementation of modern risk management tools and the development of precision agriculture. Rational use of natural resources — water, soil, and biodiversity — has been prioritized. A special section is dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of the sector, spreading knowledge about modern supply models, management, and the development of grain crop infrastructure.
Additionally, there are plans to create a unified national agrometeorological network to optimize the use of irrigated lands, as well as actively implement innovations, transfer technology, support inter-professional structures, and strengthen grain stock monitoring for market transparency.
The Minister for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, emphasized at a press conference that the “+ Grains” strategy aims for a real increase in production capacities and the potential of national production. He also highlighted that, unlike previous plans that remained unrealized, the current strategy includes concrete actions to enhance self-sufficiency and the stability of Portugal’s agri-food sector.
Currently, grain crops account for only 3.5% of the structure of the national agriculture of the country. The largest shares are held by corn (56%), wheat (19%), and rice (16%). In comparison, during the 2020/2021 season, the production of autumn-winter grains — wheat, barley, and oats — was one of the lowest in the last 35 years, totaling only 189.2 thousand tons.