ADM, a global agribusiness giant, expanded its regenerative agriculture program by launching a project aimed at soybean producers in Brazil.
Announced on November 21, the pilot initiative will cover 20,000 hectares in Minas Gerais, Uberlândia region, and Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande region. The participation will be 20 soybean producers.
ADM reported that pilot participants will receive technical assistance. In addition, they will participate in training sessions and have measurements of soil organic matter and carbon sequestration.
The objective of the program, therefore, is to promote and support sustainable agricultural production. This will therefore focus on soil health, protecting biodiversity, improving soil fertility and resilience, as well as increasing agricultural productivity.
Initial practices will therefore focus on three specific areas. This then includes efficiency in the use of fertilizers and greater use of biological inputs, adoption of direct planting and soil cover, in addition to cover crops.
ADM begins pilot program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazilian agriculture
“The fundamental principle is to support farmers to achieve more with less. This means greater productivity with less use of inputs, water, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, lower risk of soil degradation, and lower fuel and energy consumption”, said Luciano Souza, ADM grains director for South America.
Global chemical giant Bayer, in collaboration with Embrapa, developed a calculator for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The regionalized tool quantifies field emissions, related to land use change, the carbon footprint of field inputs and transportation.
The data collected in the pilot scheme will allow ADM, Bayer and other participants to study current environmental impacts. Additionally, they will identify potential reduction opportunities as the program expands.
ADM has stated that its goal is to cover 120,000 hectares in Brazil by 2027 and 1.61 million hectares worldwide by 2025.
Source: Oils & Fats International
