On his farm in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil's grain basket, Ilson Jose Redivo finished planting his maize - also known as corn - crop a few weeks ago, acting quickly once he'd harvested the soybeans that he'd grown on the same fields.
The maize is a second crop, or"small crop," which Brazilians call a"safrinha." Over the past decade, the second crop has turned into Brazil's main crop and taken an increasing share of world production. Production is expected to hit 124.9 million tons , of which 76.3 percent is second crop, according to the latest report from the National Supply Company , published this week.
"Corn as a second crop has become more attractive, so we have acquired more fertilizers, genetically improved seeds and farm machinery that allows for faster and more accurate planting," he stresses.