Bartira’s journey to Bonsucro recognition

We asked Luiz Iaquinta from Bartira to detail the processes involved to get to this achievement:

“In June 2014 we started a project to certify our operations using the best standards in the market. To perform this, we developed an internal protocol based on ISO 9001 and 14001, OSHAS 18001, SA8000 and Bonsucro for sugarcane operations, and RTRS for soy bean operations.

Our main intention for using this protocol was the achievement of best practices and risk management through these standards. In this case, Bonsucro was the most complete one for our sugar operations. Mainly because the most important areas such as social and environmental sustainability, including agricultural performance, were really well approached by Bonsucro, and the Bonsucro Calculator is the critical baseline to verify our operations’ results.”

What does achieving Bonsucro recognition mean to Bartira?

“We are very proud with the results achieved. Bonsucro recognition is the best way to ensure that we chose the best sustainability standard”, says Luiz. “In addition, this recognition assures our clients and investors that we apply the best agricultural practices aligned with social and environmental aspects”.

Collaborating for Success

Working with other organisations has been instrumental in enabling Bartira to obtain Bonsucro recognition, says Luiz: “Since the beginning we received the support of Bayer CropScience – another Bonsucro member – in Brazil. As a client, we requested their support and they introduced us to Bayer’s Valore certificationprogram.

The use of Valore in our operations was an excellent tool that helped us to compare implementation practices that we applied in the field. Bayer’s Valore program team supported us with great ideas and in-the-field expertise to achieve recognition. It is clear that they work really close with producers, which was really important for us. They understand our difficulties and have the right implementation approach. Without their help this journey would have been much more complex. We would like to congratulate Elaine Delgado and Cristiane Lourenço from Bayer and the external advisors Petrus Saponara and Paulo Eduardo Figueiredo.

Moreover, it is important to highlight that the biggest outcome was Bartira’s team engagement – without their commitment and determination this recognition would not be possible. They understood the requirements and applied all efforts necessary to achieve this great result!”

As Claudio Damacena, the Bartira farm manager, explained “We haven’t carried out all of these changes just to achieve Bonsucro’s Standard requirements, they were made to improve our daily activities and the farm operations. Bonsucro recognition was the consequence of it”