AgroAmerica

Archives July 2013

AgroAmérica Capacita a Asesores Ambientales

Agroamerica Trains Ministry Of Environment And Natural Resources Consultants

Agroamerica Trains Ministry Of Environment And Natural Resources Consultants

AgroAmerica received a request from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources -MARN- (Guatemalan government entity, leading in environmental issues and natural resources) to train consultants on mitigation of agrochemicals, waste management, based on the experience developed by AgroAmerica.

AgroAmerica carried the training in order to build capacities for personnel of that Government Institution and unify criteria on issues that should be taken into account to develop an efficient environmental management for agricultural companies.

The Production Manager, expressed: We are very happy to share experiences with the governing body in Guatemala on environmental issues.

The workshop was attended by architects, engineers, farmers, and biologists that are part of the Environmental Quality Unit from DIGARN. Participants took a keen interest in learning good practices implemented in the banana company. They were very pleased with the shared expertise.

Luis Carlos Rodríguez, MARN Consultant, said: The training was quite comprehensive, we are very pleased with the knolewdge acquired and congratulate AgroAmerica engineers.

As part of the workshop, practice drills were carried out to demonstrate the appropriate use of protection equipment for personnel who work with agrochemicals and were trained on adequate usage of ABC extinguishers. A fire drill was conducted and real extinguishers were used.”

Andrea Paiz, Environmental Inspector of AgroAmerica commented: It is a good opportunity for the company to interact with environmental consultants from the MARN and make public that in Guatemala there are companies that have a system of environmental management based on international certifications.

Roxandra Hornquist, coordinator of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Unit -DIGARN- said: On behalf of DIGARN, we want to thank AgroAmerica for the knowledge shared. Our environmental assessors have been strengthened in the new subjects.

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AgroAmérica participó en foro de RSE

Agroamerica Participated In The 7th Social Responsibility Forum: “Sustainable Dialogue, The Path Towards Development”

Agroamerica Participated In The 7th Social Responsibility Forum: “Sustainable Dialogue, The Path Towards Development”

Guatemala, July 2013. For Agroamerica, dialogue is the base for social cohesion, for that reason participated in the 7th National Forum on Social Responsibility 2013: “Sustainable Dialogue, the path towards development”, organized by The Corporate Social Responsibility Center in Guatemala –CentraRSE–.

Agroamerica invited 11 community leaders from the South West meeting point (bordering Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu and San Marcos), close to its area of operation, who had the opportunity to participate in the forum and receive a training about Dialogue.

Felino Sandoval, president of the South West Region Association stated: “We are very happy that Agroamerica is helping us to be organized and provide us with tools to conduct dialogues among our communities.

Bernardo Roehrs, president of the Forum and Agroamerica’s director gave the closing remarks: “We believe that dialogue is the key to build a country with no barriers, based on trust and compassion, we have participated in this forum and we are sure it will guide the country to participate towards seeking a common wellbeing of all the participants”.

The main objective of this year’s event was to encourage a mechanism for multiple sectors dialogue as a tool to promote processes that will lead to construct relations, strengthening alliances and strategic associations that will help to reduce conflicts.

The proposal to initiate a Sustainable Dialogue began with the signature of the guidelines by the president of Guatemala, Mr. Otto Perez Molina and CentraRSE’s president, Mr. Alvaro Zepeda.

The principles guiding the dialogue are:

  1. Built relations based on trust to ensure the common good.
  2. All persons are worthy and deserve respect.
  3. The virtue of humility is the base to listen and to understand other’s opinions with empathy.
  4. Tolerance to accept different opinions and humility to acknowledge that there is no absolute truth.
  5. Free, voluntary and constant participation.
  6. Listen carefully and patiently.
  7. Transparency in communicating ideas.
  8. Be brief, precise and clear.
  9. Open to change and to the possibility of being wrong.
  10. Confidentiality and discretion in the use of others opinions.

The event was attended by 630 persons, among them: government officials, ambassadors, international organizations representatives, business people, community leaders and civil society members.

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Agroamerica Best Evaluated By Apib

Agroamerica Best Evaluated By Apib

Guatemala, July 2013.  During the month of June, the Association of Independent Banana Producers -APIB- conducted an evaluation of 17 farms of its affiliates, resulting with three Agroamerica’s farms with the best results.

Upon completion of the audit, Agroamerica’s farms received excellent results in every area evaluated. The audit was conducted as stipulated by the Guatemalan law related to Industrial safety, Human Resources and Labor Relations.

This audit is frequently carried out and is applicable to all members of the -AIBP-. 144 items are evaluated, being the most important the following:

Safety and Hygiene in the work place: training on industrial safety, hygiene and system of management for prevention of risks at work; appropriate waste disposal, adequate use of protective equipment; installations among others.

  • Human Resources: Organizational Climate, career planning and development, recruiting and induction of personnel.
  • Labor Relations:  Severance payment, paid leaves, compliance with minimum wage laws, payment of Christmas and other bonus required by law, over time, vacations and holidays payment for all employees.

Edgar Quijada, -APIB- auditor, commented during the closing meeting: “Agroamerica has to be congratulated for its high standards and competitiveness; they are an example of compliance for the association”.

The results achieved in this audit, demonstrates the commitment the company has to be a local producer with excellent practices, watching, keeping and improving constantly standards of local audits and international certifications.

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Bananera con mejores prácticas de inocuidad

Agroamerica With The Best Practices In Food Management And Safety

Agroamerica With The Best Practices In Food Management And Safety

Guatemala, June 2013. The Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Food – MAGA- carried out an audit to award health licenses for adequate management of food of plant origin for exporting and Importing. AGROAMERICA was certified as the banana corporation with the best practices in food management and safety in Guatemala.

The Ministry of Agriculture –MAGA-, inspecting engineer Hector Solórzano, stated: “AGROAMERICA is the Banana Corporation that has obtained the highest score in the audit process carried out.”

During the inspection of AGROAMERICA’s farms, it was noted that the company implements good practices in fresh fruit handling ahead of other banana producers in the country. Upon completion of audit, Mr. Solórzano congratulated AGROAMERICA’S team for this important achievement.

The company’s Production Manager indicated: “We are very pleased to know that AGROAMERICA obtained the highest score in the audit of best practices in food management and safety in the production of bananas. This obliges us to continue working hard towards continuously raise our standards and become more efficient every day”.

After a number of inspections, the audit process was completed approving AGROAMERICA’S operation for another year.

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Reconocimiento a Productores de Banano

UNAIDS recognizes banana producers in Guatemala to boost the labor policy of HIV / AIDS

UNAIDS recognizes banana producers in Guatemala to boost the labor policy of HIV / AIDS

Guatemala, July 2013. UNAIDS awarded The Association of Independent Banana producers -APIB- and its 19 affiliated companies for working towards prevention and care of HIV in the workplace in addition to become a role model for other business sectors in Guatemala.

Labor policies on HIV, focus on guaranteeing rights of HIV infected personnel and for providing a work environment free of prejudices, stigma and discrimination. Prevention is promoted among all employees and health care for all is provided. HIV test are provided and the confidentiality of the results is guarantee.

On belhalf of Agrofruit 10 employees responsible for the implementation of the HIV program received the award. Bernardo Roehrs, Coorporate Director expressed satisfaction for the work done and the for the future plans to be implemented: “We have trained over 4,000 employees and community leaders in HIV/AIDS prevention, focused on values and the responsible use of their sexuality, emphasizing on Fidelity and Abstinence. This year we plan to expand the program to new groups of workers from the farms.”

Jose Enrique Zelaya UNAIDS coordinator for Guatemala and Mexico, thanked banana producers for their support and commitment in the implementation of Labor Policies on HIV/AIDS stating: “It is necessary that the business sector of Guatemala takes an active role because neither the government nor the international cooperation has the necessary resources for HIV prevention, care and treatment”.

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Proyecto de Reforestación

AGROAMERICA LAUNCHES A REFORESTATION PROJECT.

AGROAMERICA LAUNCHES A REFORESTATION PROJECT

Guatemala, July 2013. AgroAmerica concerned with the environment and floods that have afflicted year after year communities in the South West region of Guatemala, has decided to implement a Reforestation project in the area along with the Ministry of Social Development.

The objective of the Project is to reforest micro basins of rivers Ocosito, Naranjo, and Zanjon Pacaya. Furthermore involves communities, government institutions, NGO and private sector.

It is estimated to plant 120 thousand trees in eleven months, in nurseries established in 21 communities in the meeting point among the departments of Retalhuleu, San Marcos and Quetzaltenango.

Seeds have been harvested by the Ministry of Social Development; plastic bags have been donated by AgroAmerica. Communities will be responsible for filling the bags, irrigation and maintenance of nurseries. In addition, FONADES will provide technical assistance during the life time of the project.

Bernardo Roehrs, AgroAmerica’s Corporate Director stated: “Reforestation brings great benefits: protects against erosion, prevents decrease of soil fertility and sedimentation of water ways, prevents flooding and improves air quality.”

AgroAmerica, with the implementation of this Project, once again demonstrates its Social Responsibility contributing towards the improvement of the environment and the development of the communities where it operates.

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