2011 Ambassadors of Respect: Brazil
7 June 2011 Agro Amazônia Produtos Agropecuários Ltda
Brazil
Respect, ethics and environmental responsibility are the first three values displayed on the Agro Amazônia Produtos Agropecuários website, one of many reasons this Cuiaba, Mato Gross, Brazil company was named a 2011 Ambassador of Respect.
“We are committed to preserve and protect humans and the environment with laws and technical guidelines designed to ensure worker safety and environmental balance,” explains Sidinei Nunes, director. “It is our goal to prevent pollution and minimize any impact that its activities may cause to the environment and the community.”
For these reasons, Agro Amazônia invests in annual projects to raise awareness and educate the community on environmental responsibility. The company sponsors lectures and dramas about the use of personal protective equipment, distributes educational booklets and holds talks with the public on the importance of preserving the environment. Seedlings are distributed to local schools and parks to encourage growth of native plants. Extensive training is conducted with employees on emergency procedures and proper use of agricultural products.
According to Nunes, the company is actively involved with customers, offering soil analysis, application services and follow-up to ensure the products are being applied and used properly.
“Agribusiness is critical to the sustainability of Brazil and respect for the environment is fundamental to the success of Agribusiness,” explains Nunes. “This is the reason we invest in these projects.”
Cooperativa Agropecuária Castrolanda
Brazil
Brazil’s central-southern Parana basin, an area known for the development of new crops and agribusiness activities, is home to Cooperativa Agropecuaria Castrolanda, a company dedicated to customer service and safe environmental practices.
With approximately 60 members, this cooperative participates in agriculture research and the dissemination of technologies aimed at reducing costs and the exploitation of natural resources. Transportation, handling, storage and safe use of agricultural products is of utmost importance, according to Ândrea Toniolo Kubaski, marketing coordinator.
“Any use of pesticides is performed by the cooperative,” explains Kubaski. “All surveying, recommendations and marketing is done through an agronomist, following current legislation in relation to crops and recommended targets. It is our goal to avoid unnecessary use and contamination of humans and the environment in which we live.”
With seven trained agronomists, Cooperativa Castrolanda offers crop protection products, seed, animal feed and fertilizer as well as soil and foliar analysis, training services and consulting to customers. A rain drainage system located outside of the warehouse prevents water from getting into the structure, minimizing accidental contamination. Training is provided to employees on proper use, adjustment of spray, and package disposal.
“The safety of pesticides is extremely important not only for the financial value that is added to the product, but also by environmental and health risks that this type of product offers,” says Kubaski. “We take the message that it is possible to grow produce with quality and sustainability.”
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