Resumo

The release of pesticides caused an increase in sales, as well as inspection through control carried out by the government of Mato Grosso. The increasing consumption of pesticides can have a positive effect on the productivity and yield of extensively produced crops. Knowing the effects of using pesticides can help producers and governments in developing policies for the development of the soybean and corn production chain.

Discussions about the approval, commercialization, and large-scale use of pesticides can raise questions and hypotheses about their effects on the productivity of soybean and corn crops, which rely heavily on pesticides for their variable costs in agricultural production. the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of the release and commercialization of pesticides on soybean and corn crops in the state of Mato Grosso.

On October 8, 2021, the federal government published Decree 10.833/2021 in the Official Gazette, which simplifies the processes of research, analysis, and commercial registration of agricultural pesticides for use in Brazil. While it makes the analysis of new products faster and less bureaucratic, the legislation also strengthens oversight. The new decree includes additives specifically for certified organic crops and facilitates the production of generic pesticides.

To construct the data panel, annual data were collected from 141 municipalities over the years from 2019 to 2022, related to variables such as planted area, production value, prices, productivity per hectare, quantity produced, and population. These data were made available by the Matogrossense Institute of Agropecuarian Economics - IMEA. Data from the annual Agrochemical Trade Report consolidated by INDEA-MT were also used. The estimator used in this study is the differences-in-differences model. According to BERTRAND, DUFLO, and MULLAINATHAN (2004).

The results presented show that after the approval of decree 10,833/21, releasing pesticides, there was an increase in average productivity, that is, the yield in kg/hectare, considering the two crops of soybean and corn by 10.94% in municipalities that produce both crops in Mato Grosso. When considering estimates per bag/hectare, the yield rises to 17%. This demonstrates that the decree provided greater commercialization and, consequently, greater application of pesticides, considerably improving the productivity of soybean and corn crops.

The hypothesis of the study was based on the argument that the release and commercialization of pesticides would lead to increased productivity and profitability. This hypothesis was accepted and statistically proven. The results presented show that after the approval of Decree 10,833/21, which released pesticides, there was an increase in average productivity, i.e., yield in kg/hectare, considering both soybean and corn crops, by 10.94% in the municipalities that produce both crops in Mato Grosso.

BRASIL. Decreto nº 10.833, de 8 de outubro de 2021. dispõe sobre a pesquisa, a experimentação, a produção, a embalagem e rotulagem, o transporte, o armazenamento, a comercialização, a propaganda comercial, a utilização, a importação, a exportação, o destino final dos resíduos e embalagens, o registro, a classificação, o controle, a inspeção e a fiscalização de agrotóxicos, seus componentes e afins. Disponível em: https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/decreto-n-10.833-de-7-de-outubro-de-2021-351524955. Acesso em: 05.05.2022.