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Coffee farms in Brazil bet on sustainability
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Friday, 09 December, 2022, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Brazil
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With 42% of its land preserved in the midst of Eucalyptus and other native trees, Pinhal Farm has won the prestigious title of Brazil’s most sustainable farm with O'Coffee in second place.
Pinhal, which is a favourite among specialty coffee connoisseurs in the UK, Germany, Finland, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China, secured the award thanks to its unique use of technology and sustainable crop management through the preservation of flora and fauna, and reduction in fertilisers and pesticides. Both farms are part of the “Brazil. The Coffee Nation”, promoted by BSCA (Brazil Specialty Coffee Association) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
The awards were given by Brazil’s leading rural publication Globo Rural Magazine, in the last edition. This is a big deal as Pinhal and O’Coffee competed against all of Brazil’s farm producers in a nation where more than 19 million work in agriculture daily.
Located in Santo Antônio do Amparo, Minas Gerais state, Pinhal is run by Pedro Reis, and his sister, Mariana Reis Teixeira – part of the Teixeira family’s sixth generation of specialty coffee growers. The varieties cultivated are Acaiá, Arara, Bourbon, Castilho, Catinguá, Red Catuaí, Yellow and Red Geisha, Icatu, Topázio, and Uva among others.
Sustainability initiatives at the farm include the installation of solar panels for power generation as well as a significant reduction in the use of water, fertilisers, pesticides and fuel. On top of this, Pinhal Farm partnered with a number of schools, allowing students to participate in planting trees on the plantation. The family has also allocated space for the rehabilitation and release of native wild animals.
“Since we can't change the world, let's at least start with where we are. Sustainable production is very important so that we can work toward a more favourable climate in the future. Our intention is also to influence the people around us and with whom we have contact. Sustainability is a continuous evolution, and it is important to create momentum and hopefully inspire others to follow suit,” said Pedro Reis, who runs Pinhal’s day to day operations.
At O'Coffee, located in Pedregulho, São Paulo – Brazil, sustainable practices are also a priority. The fast-growing farm manufactures its own compost, coffee powder, and water from bean processing. O’Coffee also cultivates native plant species to neutralise carbon emissions. Among the technologies include using telemetry to surround the tractor fleet, which applies each drop of water precisely, taking into account climate conditions and soil moisture.
“We work with people, and it is from their way of thinking and acting that good practices come about. This contributes to what we call a balanced carbon balance in which we make the most of good practices to reduce carbon emissions while the forest areas and coffee trees work to neutralise carbon dioxide,” said Ubion Terra, executive director of the O’Coffee.
O'Coffee was founded in 1940, and currently exports to approximately 20 countries, such as the US, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Greece, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, Kuwait and Argentina. Among the varieties produced are Acaia, Yellow Bourbon, Yellow and Red Catuai, Catucai, Mundo Novo, Icatu and Arara.
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