The cultivation of oil palm, also known as oil palm, in the Brazilian Amazon region, originates from the hands of women. They are responsible for planting the seeds of palm, care in the nurseries and agro-industrial activities of the BBF Group (Brasil BioFuels). More than 800 women are employed by the company in all areas, from agricultural to industrial, in the group's units, which maintain operations in Pará, Roraima, Rondônia, Amazonas, Acre and São Paulo.
The giant trees, which reach around 15 meters in height and bear clusters of fresh fruit weighing approximately 12 kg, are born from small, fragile seeds that need to be planted in an area with shade and constant irrigation. The seedlings generated by these seeds are kept in nurseries, in controlled environments, where they receive all the necessary cultural treatment to become stronger before going to the field.
One of the women working in this area is Venezuelan Gerardini Garcia, an agricultural leader who works at the BBF Group plant, located in São João da Baliza, in the interior of the state of Roraima. Gerardini is responsible for ensuring that the palm seedlings are ready to be permanently planted in the field, following their life cycle, generating fruit and recovering degraded areas of the Amazon Forest. “It was Grupo BBF that opened its doors to me and my cousin. It was an opportunity to learn and change lives. From collaborator to leader, Gerardini leads an agricultural team of 32 women.
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The majority of women employed by the BBF Group are in the company's units in Pará (64%), followed by Roraima (26,32%). Women occupy jobs mainly in the agricultural, people management, administrative and industrial areas.
BBF Group employees, mostly from the North, have secondary or higher education, aged between 24 and 41, occupying different areas. “I realize that here at Grupo BBF the company prioritizes the employee's potential and not their gender, thus enabling the growth of both. Women like Kaline Oliveira efficiently balance work, studies and motherhood, excelling in a career as a Maintenance Planning and Control Analyst.
The BBF Group, leader in the North region, directly employs 6 thousand people and, indirectly, 18 thousand, thus standing out for its significant job creation. The company grows palm trees sustainably, which not only creates jobs, but also promotes socioeconomic development in several regions of Brazil. This approach highlights the importance of the BBF Group in stimulating the local economy and promoting responsible environmental practices.
“BBF Group’s operations depend directly on humanized labor. Therefore, we highly value the local job market, especially for women who accept the challenge of working within our cultivation. Milton Steagall, CEO of Grupo BBF, highlights the crucial role of female farmers in various positions within the company, recognizing their importance.
Source: Notícias Agrícolas
