Sustainable Brazilian Cotton Program certifies 92,38% of planting areas in Bahia

This month, Abapa concluded audits of the Responsible Brazilian Cotton Program (ABR), in the state of Bahia. In this ongoing 2023/2024 harvest, 92 cotton production units underwent external auditing and achieved approval and certification. Of the 345.431,09 ha planted with cotton in Bahia, 313.829,69 ha were certified, which corresponds to 90,85% of the area planted on Bahian soil and 92,38% of the planting areas in western Bahia. 9% of the cotton planted area in Tocantins were also certified.

“The positive records of the last stage of the ABR audit reinforce the commitment of participating cotton farmers to sustainability, as adherence to the program is voluntary and producers are committed to working in the process of continuous improvement, meticulously following the 183 assessment items from the ABR Property Certification Checklist, highlighted the coordinator of ABR Sustainability, Yanna Costa. 

The Verification for Property Certification (VCP) is based on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic and on eight criteria: employment contract; prohibition of child labor; prohibition of slave-like work; freedom of union association; prohibition of discrimination against people; security; rural work health and environment; environmental performance; and good agricultural practices.

Tribute

This harvest, shortly after the audits, plaques of honor were delivered to producers participating in the Responsible Brazilian Cotton Program (ABR), certified for the tenth harvest. Among those honored, Fazenda Dedições, Fazenda Planalto das Emas, Fazenda Santa Rosa, Fazenda Morinaga, Fazenda Ventura and Fazenda Santo Antônio. This is a way of recognizing the commitment of producers in meeting the demands of the national and international cotton markets.

Responsible Brazilian Cotton Program (ABR) - 11 years ago, ABR was implemented by Abrapa and in Bahia the program is coordinated by Abapa, with the support of the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA).