Portugal adopts grain strategy to boost self-sufficiency

In Portugal, self-sufficiency in cereal crops stands at just 19%, and only 5% for wheat. In response, the government last week approved a resolution establishing a strategy to increase sustainable grain production in the country. The plan aims to simplify licensing for hydraulic infrastructure, increase farmers’ incomes, and develop certified seeds and domestic crop genetics.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, “the use of biotechnology is one way to enhance agricultural resilience, address climate change, pests, and diseases, and produce more food with fewer resources.” The strategy also includes risk management tools, precision farming development, and prioritizing the sustainable use of natural resources, including water, soil, and biodiversity.

The strategy further focuses on strengthening sector competitiveness and sharing knowledge about supply models, management, and grain infrastructure. Additionally, it plans to establish a national agrometeorological network to optimize irrigated land distribution, actively support innovation and technology transfer, strengthen interprofessional structures, and monitor reserves to improve market transparency.

Minister for the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated at a press conference that the “Grain+ Strategy” is aimed at increasing production capacity and national grain production potential. He emphasized that previous plans had largely remained on paper, and the new measures are designed to enhance self-sufficiency and ensure food sector stability.

Cereals account for only 3.5% of Portugal’s agricultural production, with the main crops being corn (56%), wheat (19%), and rice (16%). For comparison, in the 2020/2021 season, the production of autumn-winter cereals (wheat, barley, and oats) was one of the lowest in the past 35 years, totaling only 189.2 thousand tons.

Tags: food security, grain, wheat