AgroAmerica

Archives February 2023

"Clean Field" Initiative

AgroAmerica and the «Clean Field» initiative

The ""Clean Field" Initiative

AgroAmerica and the "Clean Field" initiative

All human activities are likely to generate waste. Agricultural food production generates different types of organic and inorganic waste. To protect the environment, this waste must be handled responsibly, according to its nature, and treated appropriately, as AgroAmerica does through the “Clean Field” initiative.

Sustainable processes of AgroAmérica

AgroAmerica implements specific processes, as part of a sustainable production model used in its operations, to correctly manage and recycle plastic containers that once contained products used in the protection and nutrition of crops. In Guatemala, AgroAmerica collaborates with the Association of the Agricultural Chemical Union, Agrequima, which focuses on promoting productive and responsible agriculture through training, communication, education, and recycling projects.
Recycling of plastic containers
At AgroAmerica’s operations in Peru, empty containers are collected for recycling by a qualified manager. In Ecuador, the containers are removed by suppliers who have a special permit to transport and manage this type of waste.
The “Campo Limpio” (Clean Field) initiative
AgroAmerica is part of the recycling program called “Campo Limpio” (Clean Field). Agrequima developed this initiative to recycle empty agrochemical containers, thereby contributing to the protection of the environment.
Program Recycling Process
This program follows a rigorous procedure that includes the following steps:
  1. Empty containers are triple washed so they can be handled and transported without risk. The water used in the triple washing process is applied to the crops for maximum yield.
  2. Used containers are perforated to prevent them from being reused for the storage of water or food.
  3. Washed and perforated containers are stored in a special infrastructure.
  4. Containers are classified and compacted.
Transformation of plastic waste
After being safeguarded by Agrequima, qualified recycling companies collect the material to transform it into plastic wood that is used to create moldings, planks, benches, garbage cans, and other objects.
Clean Field Award
AgroAmerica received the first edition of Agrequima’s Campo Limpio Award at a 2019 event to celebrate 20 years of this program. This recognition was granted because the company maintains strict control over the volume and delivery of these containers and has the appropriate infrastructure to secure them.
Cavendish Banana

Cavendish: The most famous banana variety

Cavendish Banana Variety

Cavendish: The most famous banana variety

According to the FAO, there are about 1,000 varieties of bananas with diverse shapes, colors, and flavors. The sweet seedless Cavendish is the most highly cultivated and consumed. The Cavendish is rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and folic acid and is an ideal nutrient for those who engage in physical activities. Thanks to its high fiber content, it can also help those who suffer from high cholesterol or digestive problems. 

The origin and history of the Cavendish banana

While it may be difficult to believe, most bananas that people buy today surely descended from a plant that grew more than 180 years ago in the greenhouses of Chatsworth House, an English manor located in the county of Derbyshire, England.
Origin of the name Cavendish
The Cavendish is named after William Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. In 1830, the Duke’s gardener, Sir Joseph Paxton, received a specimen imported from Mauritius and decided to cultivate it in fertile soil at a temperature between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius on the grounds of Chatsworth House. The specimen he planted flowered in November 1835 and by May the next year he had more than 100 banana trees. Paxton botanically described the fruit he obtained as Musa cavendishii. Paxton won a medal at the Royal Horticultural Society show in 1835 for his cultivation and production work. 
Expansion of the Cavendish variety
In the 1850s, the Duke of Cavendish gave some plants to missionary John Williams, who took them to the island of Samoa. Other missionaries took specimens of the Cavendish to other Pacific islands, including the Canary Islands. However, some believe that Portuguese explorers introduced the variety, which they had obtained in West Africa, to the Canary Islands in the fifteenth century.
The most exported Banana
The Gros Michel banana was the most commercialized variety until 1950 when the pathogen that causes Panama disease, also known as Fusarium wilt, plagued Gros Michel production. The Cavendish, which showed resistance to the disease, began to be cultivated more widely and today is the most popular and most consumed variety in the world. References Canella, Sweet, “Conoce la historia oculta de los plátanos.” Directo Al Paladar, https://www.directoalpaladar.com.mx/ingredientes-y-alimentos/conoce-historia-oculta-platanos. Accessed 28 May 2022. Leathercade, Duncan, “De dónde vienen las bananas y cómo el mal de Panamá está acabando con ellas.” BBC News https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/01/160124_banana_hongo_extincion_ilm. Accessed 28 May 2022. “Todo sobre los bananos: lo que debería saber acerca de esta fruta tropical.” Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura. (26 October 2016).  https://www.fao.org/zhc/detail-events/es/c/447827/#:~:text=La%20variedad%20de%20banano%20Cavendish,mediante%20procesos%20normales%20de%20siembra. Accessed 28 May 2022.
Soil

Why is soil conservation important?

Soil conservation AgroAmerica

Why is soil conservation important?

At first glance, soil may seem like a simple resource, however, it is as essential as water for life on Earth. Soil is crucial to the stability of ecosystems and a fundamental element in the food system. For these reasons, it is necessary to create global awareness about the importance of adopting models of sustainable management in the use of soils and to implement actions focused on solving issues like erosion, salinization, pollution, biodiversity, carbon fixation and nutrient imbalance.

Soil degradation: A problem to solve

Numerous chemical, physical and biological processes take place in the soil as a result of activities within the ecosystem and agricultural practices. Some of these processes occur naturally and soil degradation refers to changes in the soil properties that reduce the soil’s productive capacity.

Regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture, as well as other sustainable production models, focuses on the proper use of the soil through practices that promote the health of the soil and the elements that compose it. Such practices conserve the soil, maintain its fertility and ensure food security for future generations.

Why conserve soils?

Soil degradation, much of it due to erosion, is a worldwide problem affecting many hectares. Erosion causes the loss of fertile land and impacts food security and nutrition. In light of this, it is necessary to join forces to mitigate the effects of climate change on the biosphere and land. According to the FAO there are five reasons why we must protect this natural resource:

  1. Healthy soil feeds the world
  2. Soil is a finite resource
  3. Soil can mitigate climate change
  4. Soil is alive and teeming with life
  5. Investing in sustainable soil management makes economic and environmental sense
AgroAmérica’s commitment to conserve soils

AgroAmerica maintains a strong commitment to soil conservation, to ensure the sustainability of the land. The company properly manages soil through diverse actions:

  1. Planting cover crops to prevent erosion and water accumulation in the soil
  2. Replenishing organic material to the soil by adding plant material from its crops
  3. Implementing forest barriers on its farms
  4. Restricting the use of herbicides near bodies of water or irrigation canals

AgroAmerica implements these actions by using a sustainable and regenerative model that prioritizes practices that help prevent soil degradation and promote biodiversity.

Bananas

Where do bananas come from?

Banana´s Origin

Where do bananas come from?

The Banana Journey

It seems like bananas were one of the earlier plants to be cultivated by humans. Bananas migrated originally from South East Asia and probably the Arabs introduced it to the African continent in their expeditions. In fact, the word «banana» comes from Africa. It is also believed that Portuguese navigators and explorers arrived in Guinea while trying to find a way to China, when they saw how the natives grew this fruit and soon adopted it with satisfaction due to its taste. They took it with them to spread it to other territories where it kept the name «banana,» although it has other names such as «plátano,» «guineo,», and «cambur,»  among others.

First commercialized banana variant

One of the first variants marketed in the world was the dessert banana. Its origin was in the Caribbean; then, it spread to Europe and North America. In America, the variety more marketed initially was the Gros Michel. It has been identified that before 1866 the first commercial crops were in Jamaica and Panamá. 

Bananas Today

Today, bananas are one of the most popular fruits worldwide. They are eaten raw as dessert, in the gym, as a companion to cereals or even cooked or baked in great recipes. Bananas are the fourth most valuable food, right after rice, wheat, and milk. They are a great source of nutrients and are well known for their benefits in the digestion process when ripe. This is why people with intestinal disorders can incorporate them into their diet.

Most famous banana variety in the world

There are more than 1,000 different types of bananas globally. The Cavendish variety is the most famous one in the western world. They are bright green when immature ripening to bright golden yellow, with a sweet classic banana flavor that we all enjoy!

references

Barrios Sandoval, M. (2008). Controles internos a considerar en las pérdidas ocasionadas por un desastre natural en una empresa productora de banano. [Tesis de Licenciatura] Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Comercio y Desarrollo. (s.f.). Banano, perfil de INFOCOMM. Organización de las Naciones Unidas. Nueva York, Estados Unidos.

Sabio, C., Sáenz, V., Salgado, C., Salgado, V. (s.f.). Manual de cultivo de banano. Escuela Agrícola Panamericana. Consultado el 2 de abril de 2022. [En línea] https://bdigital.zamorano.edu/bitstream/11036/2933/1/01.pdf

Yegros, M. (2020). Banana: manejo, comercialización y costos. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Asunción        , Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. San Lorenzo, Paraguay.

sustaniability

Sustainability: The answer to a better future

Sustaniability AgroAmerica

Sustainability: The answer to a better future

Governments, companies, communities and every individual must join efforts to confront the environmental challenges that the world is facing, such as climate change, clean water, and biodiversity preservation. A good key seems to be sustainability, which is marking the way of doing business for many companies. 

Projects of good environmental practices

Within this context, three of AgroAmérica’s projects are listed in the Compilation of Good Environmental Practices presented by the UN Global Compact Initiative in Guatemala, published in January 2022. These practices are the result of the company’s commitment to work prioritizing the environment and the health of the communities. As a diversified and vertically integrated company, AgroAmerica maintains competitiveness through sustainable production, to guarantee high quality products and 𑁋at the same time𑁋 ensure the protection of natural resources. 

Water is important and at AgroAmérica we use it efficiently 

Water is essential for life on Earth, and it is also a crucial resource for agricultural and food production. To use it efficiently at each stage of the production process, AgroAmerica applies specific practices and plans, together with technologies and mechanisms that improve the usage, measurement and management of water. 

sewage treatment

One of these mechanisms is the wastewater treatment system, which enhances the physicochemical characteristics of wastewater and generates renewable energy for AgroAmerica’s operation in northern Guatemala. 

From wastewater to Renewable Energy

Thanks to this system, the biogas –which results from the process of anaerobic digestion of wastewater– is captured for treatment and introduced into an energy generator. AgroAmerica also uses the nutrient-rich water that comes out of the industrial process for irrigation, returning these nutrients to the soil. However, before its reuse, the effluent is subjected to a rigorous treatment to enrich its physicochemical characteristics. 

Irrigation system capacity

The installed system, which has a capacity of 3.5 MW/Hr of renewable energy generation, was approved by the United Nations as a Clean Development Mechanism project. This clean energy model contributes to combat climate change, since it also captures the methane produced by wastewater. 

This is one of AgroAmerica’s sustainable practices, focusing on doing business responsibly, caring for people and the environment. 

employment and working conditions.

Employment and Working Conditions at AgroAmerica

AgroAmerica´s employment and working conditions.

Employment and Working Conditions at AgroAmerica

AgroAmerica is a company that has a strong commitment to complying with the laws and labor requirements of the countries in which it operates. Its purpose is to provide employment and working conditions for the personal and professional development of its employees.

Working Conditions

AgroAmerica is constantly working to provide its employees with good working conditions. In line with this, several procedures regulate the working relationship between the company and its employees to ensure the respect of labor rights and to support the professional growth of its personnel.  
 
Labor policies of AgroAmérica

AgroAmerica’s policies related to labor conditions and rights are committed to provide decent employment, complying with national laws, International Labour Organization -ILO- agreements and industry best practices. The main goal of the company is to have a competent team committed to operate in safe work areas.

Main Aspects

Some of the main aspects established in AgroAmerica’s Labor Policies are:

  1. Labor hiring
  2. Labor rights
  3. Internal promotions
  4. Equality and non-discrimination 
  5. Occupational safety and health 
  6. Free association
  7. Zero Tolerance for Child Labor

Jobs at AgroAmerica

AgroAmerica offers permanent jobs and provides a stable income for its employees throughout the year, unlike other agricultural jobs that have a cyclical production. This way, the company helps to ensure economic stability for its employees and their families. 

Living Wage

The company is also committed to providing all its employees with a living wage that is meant to guarantee a decent standard of living. For this reason, AgroAmerica uses the Living Wage Methodology to establish the income that a person needs to cover the needs of his or her family in a dignified manner.

AgroAmerica, has been developing financial models to identify the living wage, aiming that agricultural employees receive a payment that not only complies with national laws, but also allows them to support their families’ basic expenses.

Waste Management

AgroAmerica’s Commitment to Waste Management

AgroAmerica´s Waste Management

AgroAmerica's Commitment to Waste Management

Waste management is important, especially in industrial processes such as food production. During the production chain of food, waste is generated and it must be treated correctly and, as far as possible, reduced. 

AgroAmérica´s waste management

As a responsible company, AgroAmerica is committed to sustainably produce high quality food and ingredients, which includes managing a policy focused mainly on the reuse, recycling and recovery of organic and inorganic wastes, treating them appropriately according to their type.  

AgroAmerica’s Natural Banana Ingredients Processing Plant

AgroAmerica also cares about improving its processes in search of environmental protection. An example of that would be the AgroAmerica’s Natural Banana Ingredients Processing Plant, in which the company has innovated its banana business under the zero waste principle throughout the production process, allowing maximum utilization of the banana production. 

Waste management procedures

The procedure established for AgroAmerica’s waste management has three main steps:

  1. Identifying the waste generated by each activity
  2. Determining their characteristics and volumes
  3. Establishing the best use of waste within AgroAmerica’s processes or through specialized companies for waste management   
Recycling and reuse of waste:
  • Organic Matter: 80% of the organic matter generated in the farms is reused in soils, reducing the use of fertilizers. 
  • In addition, more than 186 million bananas have been transformed into natural ingredients, fulfilling the company’s zero-waste policy.
  • Plastic fruit bags: Due to their characteristics, the bags used to protect the fruit can be used up to three times. After this, they are sent to collection centers for recycling. 
  • Paper: Paper generated in the administrative offices is also recycled.

Thanks to all these processes, AgroAmerica is able to reduce and manage the waste generated by its operations. Its commitment is not only with its production processes to provide the best products, but also with the planet.

mangrove conservation

AgroAmerica Contributes to Mangrove Conservation

Mangrove Conservation AgroAmérica

AgroAmerica Contributes to Mangrove Conservation

AgroAmerica is part of the mangrove technical working groups in the South Coast of Guatemala, for mangrove conservation through local and regional actions. This area is covered by an important extension of mangroves which are one of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems.

Importance of Mangroves

Coastal and marine ecosystems have valuable resources that provide livelihoods to local communities. Besides being home to diverse marine and terrestrial species, Mangroves have a critical role in mitigating climate change.

One of the most threatened habitats

Despite the importance of mangroves, these ecosystems are among the most threatened habitats in the world. Some of the threats to mangroves are plastic pollution, deforestation and shrimp farming.

AgroAmérica Contributes to these ecosystems Conservation 

That is why AgroAmerica seeks to contribute to the conservation of mangroves by supporting local and regional actions while working together with communities and local authorities through technical working groups.

Contributions of the technical tables

The technical roundtables are supported by the National Forest Institute in the country, to promote dialogue for the strengthening of conservation, restoration and sustainable management actions for the coastal marine ecosystem, as well as the development of a mangrove conservation and restoration plan.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis limited some activities. However, the technical working groups have continued with the work until today, which has involved working with six communities in training, reforestations, patrolling and identifying more than 160.58 hectares for conservation.

Activities carried out jointly with working groups
  • Identification of mangrove areas.
  • Monitoring and surveillance patrols in alliance with the Nature Protection Division.
  • Fish ponds
  • Forest nursery to prevent mangrove logging
  • Celebration of International Mangrove Day in the communities, to raise awareness
  • Identification of areas to be reforested
  • Mangrove reforestation
  • Forest fire monitoring
  • Training to educational institutions and community leaders on mangrove importance, conservation and restoration

AgroAmerica, through its participation in Mangrove Technical Working Groups, contributes to protect and restore natural areas, helping to the wellbeing and livelihoods of coastal communities. Mangroves have a huge importance and value, playing a vital role for nature and humanity.