Sustainable soy yields R$ 6 million in bonuses in Mato Grosso.

Farmers affiliated with the Friends of the Earth Club Association (CAT Sorriso) will receive approximately R$6 million in bonuses for the sale of sustainable soy credits, relating to the 2024/2025 harvest. Beyond the financial reward, the international certification from the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) attests that the production follows rigorous environmental, social, and economic criteria.

To obtain the certification, producers must meet 108 requirements, which include respect for environmental legislation, preservation of sensitive areas, adequate working conditions, community relations, responsible use of inputs, and full traceability of production.

Each ton of certified soy generates a credit, traded globally through the RTRS platform and acquired by companies interested in sustainable supply chains. In the 2024/2025 harvest, CAT Sorriso's associates produced 686 tons of responsible soy, with credits sold to companies in the Netherlands and Argentina.

According to the coordinator of CAT Sorriso, Cristina Delicato, the key difference lies in access to more demanding markets. “This bonus comes directly from the market. Certified producers have access to buyers who value responsible soy and pay an additional premium for certified production,” she explains.

Bonuses become an investment in quality of life in the countryside.

A significant portion of the resources obtained through certification is reinvested in improvements to rural properties, especially those focused on the well-being of workers. This is the case with Fazenda São José, in Sorriso, and Fazenda Buriti, in Peixoto de Azevedo.

Farmer Geisa Carvalho Riedi (pictured) says that the bonus from the last harvest already has a defined purpose. "We're going to invest in improvements to the accommodation, the canteen, new uniforms, and acquisitions that will benefit our employees," she said.

Certified since 2022, the rural producer positively evaluates the process. “Certification generates trust, from the employee to the buyer. For employees, it represents the certainty of a safe work environment aligned with legislation,” she emphasizes. She also highlights gains in management. “Certifications raise our level of responsibility and result in a more efficient organization,” she states.

The number of certified farms has grown almost sixfold in 10 years.

In one decade, the number of RTRS-certified properties linked to CAT Sorriso jumped from 9 to 53. This growth is the result of continuous technical support and management efforts.

CAT's Certification Manager, Júlia Ferreira, explains that the work includes consulting, document organization, support in the commercialization of credits, and management on the international platform. "We help producers prove all the good practices adopted on their farms, in addition to meeting the other required criteria," she states.

Monitoring is ongoing. Throughout the harvest season, the teams keep detailed records of all activities. "The farm's routine is dynamic and requires noting everything that is done, from monitoring pests, diseases, weeds, applications; the record is quite extensive," he adds.

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction among members.

The 53 certified farms adopt regenerative agriculture practices, aimed at improving soil health, increasing water retention, reducing erosion, and using inputs efficiently.

The president of CAT Sorriso, Márcia Becker Paiva, emphasizes the group's commitment. "Our members demonstrate that it's possible to produce on different scales, from small to medium or large, while respecting the environment and Brazilian regulations," she states.

Furthermore, producers are advancing in low-carbon agriculture, adopting practices such as no-till farming and agroforestry systems. "These practices contribute directly to mitigating climate change, as well-managed soils sequester more carbon and make production systems more resilient," emphasizes Cristina Delicato.

The association's expectation is to expand the number of participating producers. "We want to grow even more, bringing together producers who share this same commitment to sustainability," they concluded.