2OO7 World Of Respect
30 December 2008 
The 2007 class of Country Champions for the Environmental Respect Awards (ERA) and the World of Respect program may be the strongest to date. After very close judging, these Country Champions came out on top, and one from each region will be named the 2007 Ambassador of Respect and flown to Washington, D.C., US, for the annual awards ceremony and a US tour.
The winners were selected via a web conference with judges from previous winners,CropLife International, Farm Chemicals International, and DuPont. FCI would like to thank all the judges for their work; DuPont for its continued support to make this important program possible; and most of all, the many companies that entered this year’s program. For more on ERA or to enter the 2008 program, visit www.environmentalrespect.com.
ASIA PACIFIC REGION
Indonesia — PT Poly Agromandiri
For Mr. Krisman Pasaribu, director of PT Poly Agromandiri, environmental safety is critical to a successful business.
PT Poly, located in Palembang, South Suma, Indonesia, takes a variety of measures to ensure employee and community safety. The company takes an active role in encouraging customers to purchase products from formal distributors and giving them the information they need to identify low quality or illegal products. MSDS sheets are made available for every product received and stored at the facility, and the business has effective procedures in place for the handling of crop protection product containers.
The company also stresses community education by frequently conducting farmer, planter, and retailer meetings.
“The positive message we carry into the community is that agriculture feeds the world,” says Pasaribu. “Human life means nothing without agriculture.”
New Zealand — Fruitfed Supplies Ltd.
Responsibility to the community is the reason this Hastings, New Zealand distributor cites as the reason they practice environmentally safe agriculture.
“As we work and plan in a rural environment, it is our community responsibility to leave our planet in better shape than when we first came into it,” says Roger Pierce, manager of Fruitfed Supplies Ltd.
To protect the community, Fruitfed has constructed the facility to prevent runoff of contaminated water. Stormwater down-pipes are sealed to above the level of nearby waterways, and the company communicates with local response agencies to protect the community in case of emergency. Employees are trained in mixing and application procedures, as well as regulations regarding the handling of materials, and a spill kit is kept on site for use in emergencies.
“Our careers and our families are dependant on sustainable land use,” says Pierce. “It is in our best interest to protect the environment.”
Philippines — Agway Chemicals Corp.
In business for 20 years, Agway Chemicals Corp., located in Davao City, Davao Del, Philippines, has made an investment in protecting its business and community.
According to Glicerio B. Rosario, president and CEO of Agway, the retail store is located in a commercial building downtown. To protect the surrounding area, the warehouse is completely concrete and, at all sides, the walls are higher than the structures inside the warehouse. The company uses a barcoding system for all products going in and out of the warehouse and has an on-site trained employee for emergency response preparedness.
“Though we feel we have a lot to improve,” says Rosario, “we are carrying out many procedures to facilitate better product handling and safety, to keep hazards at a minimum. The company believes it is very important not only at this time, but as long as the company exists and for generations to come.”
Thailand — Chawalitkikaset Co., Ltd.
For Mr. Chawalit Sudhamwong and his staff at Chawalitkitkaset Co., Ltd. in Muang, Chiangrai, Thailand, environmentalism is present in all areas of business.
The facility is constructed so that it is not in close proximity to housing, schools, food manufacturing, or other populated spaces, and is constructed with reinforced concrete frames to help prevent fire damage. Employees are trained in materials handling and security procedures, and MSDS sheets are made available for all products stored at the business.
To make sure they are maintaining quality products, the company pays special attention to product formulations, packaging, and labeling in order to reduce risks to users and minimize adverse effects on the environment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided for all employees and emergency procedures are displayed throughout the company.
India — Sai Global
“Keeping the world green and healthy for all” is the message that Sai Global carries into its community, and is one reason this company received a 2007 Environmental Respect Award.
According to General Manager Mr. Bidhubhushan Mohanty, the company takes many safety precautions to protect employees and the community in the course of its daily business. The company has met with local emergency response agencies to go over an emergency response plan. Employees participate in regular emergency response drills, and a process is in place to monitor and implement new or changed regulations when the company becomes aware of them.
“We should work toward fostering an ethics of compassion and respect for the integrity of nature and to expand our moral concern to future generations,” says Mr. Mohanty. “We spread the message in the local community to ‘recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture.’”
LATIN AMERICA
Chile — Agropuelma Ltda.
For the staff at Agropuelma Ltda., client service is one of the most important reasons for environmental stewardship and safety.
“Agropuelma wants to give the best service to our clients,” says Nicolas Tironi, agronomy manager for the company. “We continuously improve our company to be up-to-date on new technologies, requirements, and techniques.”
The facility, located in Quillota, Chile, is not in close proximity to housing, schools, or shopping areas and is not constructed near a flood-prone area. Emergency exits are available within 30 meters of any location within the facility, and emergency lists are posted throughout the facility. Employees are trained in emergency situations as well as the regulations for the handling of materials.
“We are responsible in the use of products, pesticides, and fertilizers in order to maintain the best results from each of the products that we use,” says Tironi. “We are laying a foundation that will last through time.”
Brazil — Cooperativa dos Cafeicultores e Citricultores
Quality is the main priority at Cooperativa dos Cafeicultores e Citricultores, located in São Paulo, Brazil. The company takes pride in selling quality products that benefit customers and the community.
“The use of agricultural products of quality, correct application, with adequate discarding of the packagings, will reduce the impact on the environment,” says Agostinho Mario Boggio of Cooperativa.
According to Boggio, Coopercitrus only acquires products directly from company manufacturers and always takes into account the identification of the suppliers who make the product. In addition to their attention to product quality, Coopercitrus’ products are always supplied in the original sealed packaging. The company trains employees on all the necessary information regarding the safe use of chemicals, disposal of empty packaging, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“It is not enough simply that food exists, it is necessary it exists in amount and, with quality,” says Boggio. “It is a responsibility of Coopercitrus to show the community as a whole – from child to adult, through training, lessons, lectures, field days, and other forms – that stewardship must be practiced.”
Colombia — Cooperativa de Cafetaleros del Norte de Valle
Environmental stewardship and safety are a way of life for the team at Cooperativa de Cafetaleros del Norte de Valle in Cartago, Colombia.
The company has an environmental commitment both before and after products are sold, says Julian Alberto Gonzalez Espinari, general manager.
The operation has a program for the final disposal of solid residues and packaging material. Special warehouses house all the equipment necessary to guarantee the safety of employees and the environment, and the company signed an agreement for the control of contamination, crop protection management, and solid residue and packaging material management for 2007. The company works with the National Association of Industrials (ANDI) and manages a program called “Coffee Preservation in Valle del Cauca” directed to preserve biological and cultural diversity.
“We feel if we create a safety conscience in the use of crop protection products we will be more sustainable in the long term,” says Espinari. “It will help in guaranteeing environmental health and harmony in our world.”
Ecuador — Incoagro Cia. Ltda.
The staff at Incoagro Cia. Ltda thinks long-term. That is one reason this company, located in Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador, recently won an award for environmental stewardship and safety.
According to Erika Lopez Andrade of Incoagro, the company has not had product quality problems in 23 years, a demonstration of their attention to the matter. The company has a specific procedure in place to identify low quality products, and employees are informed and trained on these procedures. The business requires all employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and a series of procedures has been put into place to respond to any emergency.
“The message we carry to our customers in that when buying products, the best thing is not simply cheap,” says Andrade. “Incoagro provides excellent quality, competitive prices, and is a friend for the Ecuadorian agriculturalist.”
Mexico — LofAgro de Guasave S.A.
By taking care of the environment, we assure a better future for our children and the world,” says Jose Gil Lopez Valenzuela of LofAgro de Guasave located in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico.
The company takes important measures to fulfill this mission. The facility has an operational alarm system and access to the facility is limited during working hours. To prepare for emergencies, LofAgro has lists of emergency response plans displayed throughout the facility and all workers are given access to these plans. Employees are trained in emergency procedures and mixing and loading procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is made available to all staff members.
By making good use of the products and taking care of the environment we will have a better world,” says Valenzuela.
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