The benefits of quinoa are so many that it is commonly described as a “superfood” or a “super grain.” It has become world-wide popular among people who want to maintain a good health and are always in search for more complete and healthy foods. This because the quinoa is a small seed, but full of proteins, fibres and plentiful of vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is gluten-free and can be used as a substitute for rice in all types of dishes.
The cultivation of quinoa was recently introduced in Brazil and has caused interest in the agricultural sector. Alternative crops, such as quinoa, make it possible to improve the cultivation cycle, avoiding pests and diseases, giving greater sustainability to the production systems. Its introduction in a plan for crop rotation can contribute to the reduction of the use of chemicals, with favourable impacts to the environment and to human health. Considering these facts, Floryl has initiated in 2016 Quinoa plantations in small areas of 5 hectares for the improvement of the crop techniques such as the best season for planting, sowing density, need for irrigation and fertilizer and post-harvest processing.
This year Floryl are working together with professors and PhD students from the Federal University of Brasilia (UNB), planting an increased area of 67 hectares on the property with Quinoa BRS Piabiru from EMBRAPA, the Brazilian Institute for Agrarian Research. This area presents a very good development and good expectations of harvest.