Fazenda Dutra Organic, Brazil

Responsible farming

Sustainability is not just a matter of certification for the Dutra brothers. From their 1,000 hectares, they dedicate more than 300 to the preservation and regeneration of land. Through the strict separation of waste water, they protect the natural springs and waterfalls spread across the estate. They have also planted windbreak shrubs to improve pest-disease control and use coffee straw as fertilizer. Through those natural methods, they decrease their use of pesticides and other chemical products and de facto reduce their negative impact on nature. Fazenda Dutra is also the first coffee estate in Brazil which has installed a solar-powered pulper machine. 51 photovoltaic modules have been installed and generate 18,400 kW a year. With the objective of being self-sustaining, they are planning the installation of 800 modules and converting most of the machinery, including the dryers, to solar energy.

Ednilson and Walter Dutra consider that they also have a social responsibility in their community. Employing up to 600 workers in peak seasons, they impact the life of many families. In addition to regular trainings and the appropriate safety measures, they offer a Family Health Program by bringing medical staff to the farm; operate a Food Hall where employees can get a healthy meal, they encourage the planting of fruits and vegetables on the “colony houses”, and have a rural school for children of the region.