Seminars reinforce the Integrated Tobacco Production System

The entities that make up the National Forum for Integration of the Tobacco Production Chain (Foniagro) held seven seminars to Strengthen the Integrated Tobacco Production System (SIPT) from September 8th to 25th. The events brought together more than 1,3 participants from the three southern states, including agricultural advisors, production, research, and sustainability managers from the integrating companies, board members and evaluators from the Brazilian Tobacco Growers Association (Afubra), as well as representatives from the Agriculture and Agricultural Workers Federations of the three southern states (Farsul, Fetag-RS, Faesc, Fetaesc, Faep, and Fetaep).

The activities took place in Rio Pardo (two editions) and São Lourenço do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul; Rio Azul, in Paraná; and Mafra, Ituporanga, and Maravilha, in Santa Catarina. The program focused on the Integration Law (Law No. 13.288/2016), also addressing topics such as good agricultural practices, soil management, use of certified seeds, labor recruitment, producer health and safety, and child and adolescent protection.

Marcílio Drescher, coordinator of the National Tobacco Integration Forum (Foniagro) and president of Afubra, emphasized the importance of unity between producers and industries. "If we don't work together, we weaken the production chain, which is already heavily persecuted and misunderstood," he stated.

SindiTabaco's board advisor, Carlos Alberto Sehn, reinforced the pillars of SIPT—the Integration, Sustainability, Quality, and Innovation Law—noting that the system guarantees producers technical and financial assistance, production transportation, and the purchase of contracted crops. Companies receive high-quality, high-quality products, and ensures traceability and regularity in supply to international customers. "No other production chain offers so many guarantees," Sehn stated.

During the event program, Paulo Favero, Vice President of Production and Quality at SindiTabaco and Coordinator of the Integration Law Working Group (WG), presented the commitments related to the Integration Law and detailed the criteria for contracting producers, such as minimum planting area and input package. He also clarified mandatory technical visits and the contracting and planting schedule, emphasizing that the rules aim to provide greater security for both parties to the integration contract.

Afubra economist Dener Turchiello explained the methodology used to calculate tobacco production costs, which is reviewed every five years and updated annually. Embrapa Clima Temperado researchers Adilson Bamberg and Adalberto Miura presented the Protected Soil project, a partnership with SindiTabaco that will run until 2029 and aims to promote soil sustainability.

Profigen representatives Flávio Hoff and Nirlei Storch warned about the risks of using counterfeit seeds, which can lead to lost contracts and contamination. "Seeds represent only 0,56% of the production cost. It's not worth risking the remaining 99,44% of the investment," Hoff emphasized. During the sessions, the importance of the Clean Tobacco program was also reinforced, which maintains the reputation of Brazilian tobacco as one of the most pure in the international market.

Sustainability and social protection

Initiatives related to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), health, and child protection were presented by Nádia Fengler Solf, manager of the Crescer Legal Institute, and Fernanda Viana Bender, Technical Advisor at SindiTabaco. The initiatives include educational campaigns, commitments with the Public Ministry of Labor, and awareness programs for producers and families. SindiTabaco's Institutional Relations Advisor, Sergio Rauber, also highlighted the importance of standards that ensure decent work during the harvest, especially when hiring temporary workers.