Aprosoja-MT receives Carbon Neutral Seal for sustainability actions

The various actions carried out by the Association of Soy and Corn Producers of Mato Grosso (Aprosoja-MT) in the area of ​​sustainability were recognized by the state government, which awarded the entity the MT Carbon Neutral Seal, this Sunday (05.06), during the opening of the Week of the Environment.

For the director of Aprosoja-MT, Zilto Donadello, the certificate is important for the national and international recognition of the work carried out by rural producers from Mato Grosso who are not villains, on the contrary, they have been doing their homework and are one of the most works towards environmental conservation in Brazil, with relevant data on the environmental assets market

“Since the beginning of the association, in 2006, we have studied and developed research on this topic, among the results obtained we have that our producer sets an average of 1,6 tons of carbon per hectare in production, already discounting all emissions, therefore , we are proud to receive this certificate”, said the director.

Zilto highlighted that environmental legislation completed 10 years this year as an important milestone for the country and that Mato Grosso, in addition to being one of the largest food producers in the world, preserves 65% of its territory. “We have the most severe Forest Code (law nº 12.651/2012) on the planet, which has not prevented us from producing following all required legal parameters”.

The Socio-Environmental Sustainability Manager at Aprosoja-MT, Marlene Lima, explained that the entity has been developing actions for more than 16 years that aim to reconcile production and environmental conservation agendas, an example is the study by professor Drº from the University of São Paulo (USP) , Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri, who looked for figures relating to carbon emissions from the gate to the inside, this in 2009.

“The data was recently updated, between 2020/2021, showing that the Mato Grosso producer works sustainably, and that there are still other assets to be considered, such as the preserved forest area, the native pasture area (which counts towards the carbon balance) and direct planting, that is, our responses to the question have been very positive”, explained the person responsible for the Socio-Environmental Sustainability Coordination at Aprosoja-MT.

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Mauren Lazzaretti, highlighted during the event that the delivery of the seal symbolizes the implementation of one of the most structural programs of the Government of Mato Grosso, which aims to combat climate change and which seeks to make rural production compatible with sustainability.  

MT Carbon Neutral Seal

The Government recognizes the initiatives of individuals and legal entities that contribute to Mato Grosso's goal of neutralizing carbon emissions by 2035, through the promotion of sustainable development. Aprosoja-MT is among the institutions that received the certificate as a supporter of actions.

Sustainability actions

Aprosoja-MT develops several initiatives, including Soja Legal, Agro Cientista and Guardian das Águas. Legal Soya, which was created in 2010 following a demand from members themselves, already includes 1,6 rural properties throughout Mato Grosso; The Guardian of Waters, launched in 2007, in Tapurah, managed to cover (until April this year) 45 municipalities and survey 79 thousand springs, showing that around 95% of them are in a good state of conservation.