Today, December 5th, we celebrate World Soil Day, an initiative established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 aimed at raising awareness about the importance of sustainable management of healthy soils. To highlight the significance of this day, we would like to share information about the partnership between Natura, Senai de Inovação e Biomassa, Camta, and Solubio. This collaboration aims to enhance the production of palm oil in agroforestry systems, contributing to the conservation and regeneration of the Amazon Rainforest and uniting efforts for the environment.
This research represents a pioneering initiative from the partners, tackling the primary challenge of conducting local OnFarm production of microorganism consortia for biodiverse systems, as occurs in the agroforestry system with palm oil. Onfarm production of bioinputs combines sustainable productivity, good practices, and efficiency, generating a positive impact on the environment, as well as on local communities and the development of products in line with new, more responsible consumption practices.
Jéssica Medina Gallardo, a researcher at ISI Biomassa, believes that the goal is to apply the use of microorganisms to achieve greater productivity. According to her, “ISI Biomassa will validate the use of various microorganisms with beneficial action for the development of the agroforestry system. That is, contribute to increasing soil fertility and resilience of various species in the agroforestry system, such as palm oil, açaí, and cocoa, through the use of bioinoculants, increasing the positive impact of this productive system.”
The differential of the SAF Dendê project is based on the cultivation of the oil palm alongside other species, including fruit-bearing, leguminous, and timber species, providing farmers with income diversity and many environmental services. Such factors also impact soil quality over time, making it more nourished and prepared for future plantings.
OnFarm production, also known as “production within the farm itself,” consists of multiplying microorganisms in closed systems (biofactories) within the property for use in agriculture. The use of biologically-based products contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the project aims to generate innovative technological development and has a social character, as it will benefit all producers involved in the cultivation of SAF Dendê in Tomé-Açu.
Natura is committed to adopting actions for environmental conservation and regeneration. The company was a pioneer in establishing a business model based on the bioeconomy of sociobiodiversity that helps conserve 2 million hectares of Amazon rainforest. Currently, we engage with 10,636 families, distributed across 48 communities throughout Brazil and Hispanic America - with 41 of them concentrated in the Pan-Amazon - and 42 ingredients from Amazonian sociobiodiversity, also known as bioactives. Natura has also been a carbon-neutral company since 2007 and aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
