Economic, Social & Environmental Management Program for Brazilian Soybeans 2012
1 PRESENTATION Brazilian soybeans cover 23 million hectares, or 24% of the world s planted acreage, making Brazil the second largest producer of this oilseed. The 2011/2012 crop estimate is a record production of 74 million tons. Soy is currently Brazil s main agricultural crop, in both volume and income generation, representing 11% of total exports, with 250,000 rural producers in 17 states, generating 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Since the introduction of soybeans into Brazil, new technologies have contributed to a more sustainable production. The highlights are: no till that increases the soil s water retention capacity and reduces the processes of erosion and carbon emission; precision agriculture that increases productivity and makes it possible to reduce the use of fertilizers, agricultural chemicals and fuel; and genetic improvements that maximize productivity and increase soybean resistance and quality. Even with the significant advances in Brazilian soybean production, continuous improvements must be made in the productive processes to increase sustainability, associated with biodiversity preservation, maintenance of water resources and quality of life for rural workers and local communities. The challenge to continuously improve the economic, social and environmental indices for agricultural production is tied to the rural producers ability to manage their production difficulties on a daily basis. For this reason, in recognition of the fact that the rural producer needs support to improve his administration effectively, the productive chain has united to organize the Soja Plus Program.
2. SCOPE OF THE SOJA PLUS PROGRAM 2.1. Mission: To promote economic, social and environmental management in rural properties and in the other elements of the productive chain, guaranteeing continuous improvement in Brazil s soybean production, processing and trading processes. 2.2. Vision: To be the most effective program in the sustainable development of Brazilian soybeans. 2.3. Values: Ethics, transparency, excellence and innovation. 2.4. Work Dynamics: Diagnose challenges and opportunities; promote actions of support and encouragement; monitor performance indices; and recognize advances made. Diagnose Recognize Promote Monitor 2.5. Property Management Modules: The Soja Plus Program presents a work methodology based on the following five management modules applied to the property: 2.5.1. Quality of Life at Work - Occupational Health Occupational Health Medical Control Plan Procedures guaranteeing access to control quality of water, food and installations in good conditions for the workers Procedures for first aid, medical assistance and prompt help in the case of accidents
- Occupational Safety Environmental Risk Prevention Plan Procedures for the orientation and use of Individual Safety Equipment - Labor Relations Plan for controls over legal requirements and working hours Procedures for employee orientation as regards activities (handling chemicals, operating machinery, environmental risks, health and safety) 2.5.2. Best Production Practices - Management of Production Practices Monitoring of the positive and negative impacts on soil and water Mapping the environmental and social risks of the operations Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fuel Plan to reduce, reuse, recycle Procedures to use conservationist techniques Plan for the responsible use of chemicals - Management of Impacts on Natural Resources Mapping natural resources (water resources, areas of permanent preservation and legal reserve) Identification of risks Procedures to mitigate impacts 2.5.3. Financial and Economic Feasibility Prepare a financial plan Implement cost controls Adopt risk management mechanisms 2.5.4. Product Quality Plan to evaluate risks and critical control points Monitor the use of possible contaminants Procedures for production, transportation, storage and processing 2.5.5. Social Responsibility Procedures for interactions with society and resolution of conflicts of interest Plan for participating in individual and collective social projects
3. ACTIVITIES TO BE DEVELOPED For improvement efforts to be ever more perceptive and efficient, the organizers and partners will do the following: Publish, clarify and make the producer aware of economic, social and environmental matters; Produce and distribute technical material to implement best agricultural practices; Offer rural property management tools; Form multiplication agents; Organize training and field days; Evaluate the degree of learning related to the material presented; Verify the efficiency of the actions related to the implementation of best practices in the production units; Recognize and publish annually the advances obtained in a statistical bulletin, participants reunion, seals of quality and certification of production units; Organize an exchange of experiences among producers and establish comparative references; Prospect financial incentives for producers who reach a high level of management and who seek a differentiated market.
4 HOW TO PARTICIPATE - Rural Producers: Producers interested in participating in the Program should register on the site www.sojaplus.com.br. They will receive technical material to implement best agricultural practices and use rural property management tools. Producers and employees will also be able to participate in training, field days and an exchange of experiences with other properties. - Rural Producer Trade Unions: These institutions can be supported when they form multiplication agents, promote field days, train producers and employees. - Public Sector: The institutions that formulate and incentivate public policies for the governance of agricultural production can become partners in training programs and technical assistance to ensure that rural properties are socially and environmentally adequate. Public institutions will also receive information bulletins on regional sustainability indices for setting the direction of priority policies. - Businesses in the Sector: Input, processing and trading companies can sponsor Soja Plus Program activities, support field days, promote training events and offer benefits for registered producers. With these initiatives, the sponsoring companies contribute to the sustainability of agribusiness, meet market demands and can promote the company s brand as socially just and environmentally adequate. - NGOs/Universities: The participating Non-Governmental Organizations and universities can act in the development of research projects, production of teaching materials and follow-up of criteria and indices. These institutions can also help form multiplication agents in best agricultural practices, financial and economic feasibility, product quality and social responsibility. - Financial Agents: The participation of financial agents will allow a strengthening of partnership ties with rural producers and the businesses in the sector, a reduction in the costing credit risks and an increase in the offer of credit to implement management techniques, natural resource mapping, recovery of degraded areas, recovery of areas of permanent preservation and legal reserve, as well as the possibility of publishing and marketing the actions developed.
5 EXPECTED RESULTS The general result expected from implementing the Soja Plus Program is to contribute to the conservation of natural resources, governance of productive activities and the social well-being of workers, rural producers and local communities. The Soja Plus Program was conceived to stimulate sustainable production in accordance with environmentally correct, socially just and economically viable performance requirements that are adequate for Brazil s reality. The Soja Plus Program will also increase economic opportunities and promote greater efficiency in the production of Brazilian soybeans.