The UN's World Food Organization FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) has proclaimed 2015 to be the 'Year of Soils'. There's a lot of global attention for this theme, and to turn words into action, Total Produce B.V. has gotten started with the theme 'Soil fertility'. Lennart Visser, Manager Sustainability & Marketing, went to Honduras in March to work on a pilot focused on development and application of compost and compost tea (liquid compost).
Steering committee 'Soil diversity'
Total Produce B.V. is a member of the 'Soil diversity' steering committee of MVO Nederland. Together with chain partners and (soil) experts, the steering committee has talked about how we as a chain look at the 'soil' aspect, but above all how we can work with this theme.
"In order to allow future generations to profit from our natural resources as well, we need to pay attention to our soil. Our soil is the basis, and we need to get started with this theme at the source. So for us it was a logical step to focus on the state of the soil in the country of origin. Many aspects influence the quality and flavour of the product, and having a 'healthy' soil is one of the prerequisites," Lennart says.
Cooperation in the chain
In cooperation with MVO Nederland, Agrolibano and Soil & More, Total Produce B.V. has started with a compost (tea) pilot. "Compost and compost tea contribute to increased micro organism activity, and through the build-up of humus, water and nutrients are better retained by the soil. In addition, waste material from the farmland and the direct surroundings can serve as input for natural nutrition. This not only lowers costs, but also makes for a better balance in the soil, decreases the use of chemical pesticides and significantly decreases the carbon footprint."
Cooperation in the chain
In cooperation with MVO Nederland, Agrolibano and Soil & More, Total Produce B.V. has started with a compost (tea) pilot. "Compost and compost tea contribute to increased micro organism activity, and through the build-up of humus, water and nutrients are better retained by the soil. In addition, waste material from the farmland and the direct surroundings can serve as input for natural nutrition. This not only lowers costs, but also makes for a better balance in the soil, decreases the use of chemical pesticides and significantly decreases the carbon footprint."
Rolling up the sleeves
During a 4-day programme, together with Agrolibano employees a start has been made with the compost and compost tea themes. In training for the technical staff, attention was given to the application of compost (tea), and the advantages as a soil improver. In addition, questions were answered like how to start with creation, what materials are suitable, and how processes can be scaled up.
After the theory, the knowledge was immediately put into practice, and the sleeves were rolled up. Together with the employees, a compost heap was created, and a start was made with the production of compost tea. The supplier in Honduras was very enthusiastic about the initiative, and together we're looking at the possibilities for scaling up.
Source: Newsletter Total Produce BV
Source: Newsletter Total Produce BV