Brazilian authorities require that new farmland developments are sustainable and compatible with national and local environmental regulations. Agrifirma’s farming methods are fully compliant with government policy. The company’s strategy is to develop land only in areas where other farm operators have successfully applied for environmental licences in the past:

• Agrifirma has no operations in the Amazon rainforest or areas at risk of deforestation. The land being developed is typically low density scrubland;

• All set-aside requirements and land preservation notices are scrupulously enforced as a matter of corporate policy;

• Agrifirma has a consultancy arrangement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the world’s most prominent environmental NGOs, to advise on best environmental practice;

• Crop developments are based on state-of-the-art technology, including fertilization, crop rotation, irrigation and weed controls to ensure that our production is sustainable over time.

• Wherever possible Agrifirma adopts minimum and no-till technology. No-till farming minimises the use of water, saves on fuel consumption and retains natural soil nutrients, which in turn increase yields and reduces carbon emissions;

• With no-till methods, straw and other organic matter left behind by the previous crop are retained. As a result soil fertility improves, carbon dioxide is retained rather than released into the atmosphere, water is used more efficiently and soil erosion is avoided. Fewer chemical fertilisers and fossil fuels are needed.

•  Agrifirma’s policy is one of 100% compliance with Government regulations on the use of GMO seeds.

Agrifirma’s philosophy is that taking care of the environment is the most certain way to obtain the best results from the land it is developing. Environmentally friendly farming methods make the soil richer and healthier and preserve the land’s potential for future generations.