2011 Ambassadors of Respect: Asia Pacific Region
3 June 2011 Advance-Agriculture Ltd.
New Zealand
David Kirk, [email protected]
Advance-Agriculture has been helping customers get the best out of their land in a responsible and safe way since the opening of its doors in 2001. This Gore, New Zealand distributor supplies agricultural chemicals to enhance pasture and arable farmland and to control brush weed. Through the company’s safety procedures, customer philosophy and participation in the country’s container recycling program, their environmental commitment is evident.
“The way in which Advance-Agriculture conducts its business to the highest standards and mentors customers in the use of agricultural chemicals shows support to the farming community,” explains 20-year agriculture veteran David Kirk, director.
Customers are encouraged to bring used containers to the company’s drop box for Ag Recovery, a program providing New Zealand farmers with nationwide agrichemical container, silage wrap and crop protection net recycling as well as the collection of unwanted chemicals. Directors take an active role in the industry through organizations such as the Foundation for Arable Research and the New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority to keep managers and employees updated on new regulations.
“Respect for the environment and understanding the effect our recommendations and products can have long term, controls our company’s right to operate,” says Kirk. “Without respect and professionalism, both our company and the farming community we support will no longer be able to function in an environmentally sustainable future.”
Chan-Lan Pesticide Shop
Yunlin, Taiwan
Yunlin County lies on the western side of Taiwan and includes coastal areas as well as river bottom used for the production of sugarcane, paddy rice, peanuts (groundnuts), jute, and sweet potatoes. Nearby industries use these products to make textiles and sugar.
Serving these growers from a clean well-appointed store in the city of Yunlin is the Chan-Lan Pesticide Shop. Chan-Lan carries packaged crop protection products including insecticides and fungicides.
Chan-Lan is also active in providing consulting, scouting and planning services to their customers and promote the use of integrated pest management (IPM), taking into account the cultural, biological and environmental factors growers are facing as they work to improve plant health.
“Agriculture is the basic science, and closely related to our health,” explains Wang Xiu-Lo of Chan-Lan Pesticide Shop. “I sell only the legal and safe products to my customers and in that way help myself as well.”
Chan-Lan provides for the collection and disposal of used pesticide containers and works toward a high-level of security at the shop.
“We have only one earth,” says Wang Xiu-Lo. “Respect for our environment is also important and helpful to our customers.”
Lee Meng
Thailand
Watcha Ketvayudh, [email protected]
“Day by day we insist on this message since my grandfather started the business,” says Watcha Ketvayudh, managing director of Lee Meng in Kanchanabu, Thailand. “My shop will offer you all varieties of agriculture chemical from reliable companies and provide recommendations to solve your problems. We work to convince farmers to use good quality and reliable products.”
Promoting quality products is a deep tradition and principle for Lee Meng, but it is not the only way this company supports agricultural stewardship. He strives to be an example to its customers and community that environmental respect means walking the talk.
The company, a family business, offers a variety of agricultural products and consulting services to customers, following each product sold to the field level to ensure safe use and application, serving growers of leafy vegetables, sugarcane and pineapple. Soil sampling techniques and IPM principles are applied to help customers determine the appropriate needs for their field and apply only what is necessary for healthy plant growth.
Ketyayudh and his father, Wichai Ketyayudh, work to maintain a clean, safe and responsible business with the goals of educating grower customers and protecting the land.
“My intention is I would like to help those farmers know how to grow and to use chemicals properly and in a safe way,” explains Ketyayudh. “The purpose is to get better yield and a better quality of life.”
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